Gulfstream G550 Compact Airborne Early Warning

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rjmaz1

New Member
Not a lot of info available on the net.

These aircraft are ideal for a small country such as Israel and Singapore.

I believe the radar is mounted inside the cabin, pretty nifty to say the least as they have exceptional range for their size.
 
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Red

New Member
weasel1962 said:
I think it's pretty much confirmed.

http://www.dsta.gov.sg/home/DisplayMain/sideContent11.asp?id=699

Flight International ran a number of stories on this. Apparently, the SG Govt had already selected the aircraft as early as 2002. Just the matter of clearing licenses which had caused the failure in the South Korean AEW selection.

There are some who had tot the Aus Wedgetail B737 problems had some influence on the decision but I personally doubt so. The cost factor was probably the main influence. The Gulfstream is a smaller aircraft and the savings in that perspective is already significant.

Although the B737 is probably a much better aircraft in terms of capabilities, the capabilities are deemed overkill eg radar range is probably higher (due to higher power) but the gulfstream can fly a lot higher which compensates for this.

Its more than just the AEW aspect. The Israelis have developed the AISIS system which provides quite comprehensive networked capabilities. All in all, the SG military is possibly technologically way ahead in this game.

The next acquisition will likely be UCAVs and UAVs. The Global hawk and predators-type UAVs is very much on the cards.
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Yeah, it was officially announced this morning. Here`s the bird currently in service with the IAF;

http://www.shannonairportenthusiasts.net/photos/displayimage.php?pid=352&fullsize=1 ;


http://www.shannonairportenthusiasts.net/photos/displayimage.php?pid=351&fullsize=1 ;

http://www.iai.co.il/pict/Paris2005/G550CAEWM.jpg

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I agree that the smaller size woud mean lower costs however there are benefits as well in that the RCS would be smaller. And for all purposes, the gulf-stream is a long range aircraft capable of flying without any fuel stops from Singapore to Tokyo. The range is excellent.

The range of the Phalcon radar on that thing ought to be about the same as the 737 AEW&C though. If you look at the MESA on the 737 AEW&C, the range is in excess of 200 NM which is what is stated in the report on the
G550 CAEW; ditto in excess of 200 NM. Both the MESA and the Phalcon are the best out there currently.

So you are getting the same bang for less bucks. And why not? :)
 
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Red

New Member
As per the upgraded air-defence systems mentioned by Weasel, it is fine-tuning some missile assets with new technology and systems(radar, etc) to make them more effective.

http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/news_and_events/nr/2007/apr/23apr07_nr/23apr07_fs2/ihawk_fs.html

http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/news_and_events/nr/2007/apr/23apr07_nr/23apr07_fs2/igls_fs.html

http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/news_and_events/nr/2007/apr/23apr07_nr/23apr07_fs2/giraffe_fs.html

http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/news_and_events/nr/2007/apr/23apr07_nr/23apr07_fs2/erwd_fs.html

http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/news_and_events/nr/2007/apr/23apr07_nr/23apr07_fs2.html

It`s actually an integrated system of sensors and shooters(missiles,guns, etc). The entire armed forces is being integrated this way. Simply put, all the sensors(where possible)are linked which would then allow the nearest or most capable `shooter' to be deployed. It is really fantastic as my friends who are experiencing it first hand are telling me. The results are also very tangible.

Early this year (or was it late last year), Defence Minister Teo chee Hean mentioned that the SAF would be getting a new missile defence system to deal with newer and more elaborated threats. I think the Aster-30 land based system(because Singapore already operates Asters) or S-300(cheaper) are likely.

The latter would then be linked into the already dense integrated air defence network. The I-hawks which have been given a new lease of life after recent upgrades are also due to be replaced soon. Im not sure if the new system the Defence Minister was talking about would replace the I-Hawks as he was talking about an upper tier system(he did mentioned ballistic missile threats among others) with a greater range than the I-hawks. If so, I suppose the I-hawks would be replaced by another system; perhaps the Israeli Spyder system.

At any rate Singapore`s Integrated Air Defence infrastructure should look this;

Gulfstream Phalcon/E2C Hawkeyes - 400 km detection range
supported by other sensors on other surveillance platforms(Fokkers MPA, UAVs, etc)and ground radars in Singapore of various ranges

Interception - F15SG, F16s, F5Es

Long Range SAM

Bloodhounds 120 km(retired in late 1990s) Replacement?

Med Range Sam
I-Hawk(digitised and upgraded to handle multiple air targets simultaneously) 40km

Low Range Sam
Rapier(MK2 missile) 15km

Other Lower Range Sams ( < 15 km)

Mistral
RBS70
Igla
Oerlikon( 35mm 1km)
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Singapore`s RSAF underwent a major restructuring recently to increase efficiency. Notably, there is now an UAV Command indicating the prominence of UAVs and UCAVs in RSAF`s future inventory;

http://www.mindef.gov.sg/etc/medialib/imindef_media_library/photos/news_release/2007/jan.Par.0007.Image.gif?direct=1
 
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Red

New Member
The additional cost is basically for the MESA radar which is probably the best available at this moment. Matters less when airspace is considered in the SG context.
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Actually, the real reason is because the platform was jointly developed by Singapore and Israel. Go read some of the reports available online. The costs are actually much higher considering the sunk development costs. However, Singapore`s DSTA and DSO would have learnt a thing or two as well so it`s all good. I suppose the smaller body of the aircraft plays a part in the difference in price. The reason why the G550 platform was chosen is because it would indeed fetch a lower sale price(given the commercial economies of scale) as opposed to a dedicated designed plane.

And Im not quite sure how you would put the MESA above the Phalcon seeing as such we lack proper comparative data. The radar range, for example, is about the same at about 350-400 km out. The system in used on the `Eitam' is a more advanced version than the original Phalcon.
 
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Red

New Member
The bloodhounds were never replaced. I think the squadron was disbanded. 170 sqn if I'm not wrong.
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It has never been replaced since thier retirement. My qualifer which I forgot to mention is that the RSAF would not be so coy as to deploy something with a range of the bloodhounds given that the latter was in operation for decades.

I'm a big fan of the S300 but I would discount the system. I'm sceptical the US would allow datalink to a russian system. The possibility of blue on blue would be prohibitively high. The airspace is very crowded. Still, the S300 enjoys a significant cost advantage. Each battery = ~$150-200m. The patriot would probably cost double or triple that amount. For that difference, I'm sure some cheaper network solutions could be provided..
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What do you mean datalink to the S300 ? The domestic air-defence network has got nothing to do with the US. As far as i know, it has got nothing to do with messing around with US systems. But I would agree that the S300 is a serious contendor.

I'd discount the Aster on the basis that the SAF likes to vary its SAMs. The differing types make counter measures a lot more difficult especially for low-tech adversaries..
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True. But there are already different systems like in the I-hawks, rapiers, mistrals, iglas, rbs, etc downstream. Also, there are not much systems available currently off-the-shelf. The SAF will never make this kind of missiles themselves.

So long as the I-hawk continues to be used by the US, I don't think the system will be replaced esp so soon after an upgrade. My guess is that 1-2 batteries of Patriots could be acquired. These are not cheap but 1 battery would significantly alter the defensive landscape in the region. Should be sufficient instead of having a battalion.

What is lacking is a medium range mobile system. The V200 mounted iglas have partly resolved that. The patriots could provide significant support in that sector leaving the aircraft for the FGA/interdiction role instead of AD.

The Patriots could also tackle the threat of IRBMs though this is likely less of a concern to Singapore.
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According to the official release, the I-hawks have been given about 10 years of additional life. But that is from the onset of upgrades which could possibly be 2-3 years back. If Singapore is to purchase new replacement systems, there will conceivably be a gap before full operational status in which case the I-hawks are still expected to be performing. Given SAF`s pace of procurement, I think you`ll hear about a replacement for the I-hawks somewhere between 2008-2010.

The Defense Minister was talking about an upper tier system with an anti-ballistic missile capability which has got nothing to do with the I-hawks. This would mean the Patriots or Meads for that matter are out of the picture though they can be possible contenders to replace the I-hawks.
 
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luv2surf

New Member
@ weasel1962, thanks for the info

@Red, Could you please supply links re: "jointly developed" and what do you mean by "dedicated design plane" ?
 
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