Defence and security company Saab extends its airborne early warning and control portfolio, with the introduction of the GlobalEye multi-role airborne surveillance system. GlobalEye combines Saab’s all-new Erieye ER (Extended Range) radar and mission system with the high-end Global 6000 jet aircraft from Bombardier.
Saab is one of the world’s leading suppliers of airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) systems with operational customers in eight countries worldwide. Now Saab offers a new level of multi-mission airborne surveillance capability. For the first time on the market GlobalEye provides a sophisticated, high-performance system that can conduct simultaneous long-range detection, tracking and surveillance in the air, land and maritime domains, all from a single platform.
“With GlobalEye we expand and sharpen our offering, targeting customers looking to maximise their return on investment in extended AEW&C capabilities as a national asset to benefit their country,” says Micael Johansson, head of Saab’s business area Electronic Defence Systems.
The truly multi-role GlobalEye automatically detects and tracks air and surface targets over a huge area. Ground surveillance of moving vehicles can be conducted through long-range, wide-area ground moving target indication (GMTI) radar modes. With the Erieye ER radar, detection and tracking ranges have been significantly increased compared to existing airborne radars, and against the smallest targets. The GlobalEye system can track very low-observable air and sea targets, including ‘stealthy’ aircraft, cruise missiles or submarine periscopes, even in heavy clutter and jamming environments.
“GlobalEye is a game changer that delivers a unique swing-role capability for simultaneous air, maritime and ground surveillance in a single solution, with the ability to change role dynamically, while airborne during any mission,” says Micael Johansson.
The GlobalEye integrates a comprehensive suite of sensors, including signals intelligence, and advanced self-protection equipment with a newly-developed command, control and communication system. Cost-effective system availability is assured through the combination of a small organisational footprint and Saab’s in-service support.
Saab is able to take the prime contractor role for this groundbreaking AEW&C system because of its decades of expertise and innovation in radar technology, but also through its detailed knowledge of electronic warfare, C4I solutions and systems and platform integration. A large proportion of GlobalEye’s sub systems are sourced from Saab’s world-leading product range.
A key element of the GlobalEye system is the Global 6000 ultra-long-range jet aircraft from Bombardier. This offers the latest avionics and combines ideal size for multi-role and extended AEW&C with outstanding performance. It is a high speed aircraft with impressive short field performance and low operating costs. Thanks to the Global 6000 platform GlobalEye mission endurance can extend up to 11 hours.
The launch customer for GlobalEye is the United Arab Emirates, which ordered the system as the Swing Role Surveillance System (SRSS), in November 2015.
GlobalEye is yet another Saab innovation in the field of radar technology where Saab has put entirely new, ground-breaking capabilities onto the market. The launch follows Saab’s recent introduction of new and upgraded fighter radar systems and five all-new complementary surface radar systems.
Saab is one of the world’s leading suppliers of radar systems for airborne, land-based and naval applications. The company has 60 years of experience and more than 3,000 radar systems in operation in 30 countries.
