In February 2010, Saab announced that the 20th Erieye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) system had rolled off the production line and was ready for aircraft installation and final testing. That same month, Saab announced that Erieye had been through a spiral development process and now features active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar technology.
The Erieye system is capable of long-range sea and land surveillance, and is used for missions that include AEW, surveillance of national borders, search and rescue, and air policing. The system has equipped Saab 340s, the Saab 2000, and Embraer EMB 145s.
Sources have reported that Saab delivered the second of two Erieye AEW systems to the United Arab Emirates in mid-2011. Additionally, the Swedish Ambassador has offered to sell the UAE four more aircraft. Another international customer, Thailand, received its first Erieye AEW platform in December 2010, along with six Gripen fighters. Thailand has signed a follow-on contract for six additional Gripens and a second Erieye platform. Erieye faces fierce competition from other AEW radar platforms, most notably those produced by Northrop Grumman and Israel Aerospace Industries.
Forecast International is updating its Erieye market intelligence report that is included as a part of the Electronic Systems Service.
