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The IAI EL/M-2075 Phalcon is an Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) radar system in use by a number of countries to give intelligence to maintain air superiority and conduct surveillance. It was developed with a partnership between Israeli Aircraft Industries and Elta Electronics Industries, of Israel. The Phalcon was consideredwho? the most advanced AEW&C system in the world, before the introduction of American-made Wedgetail for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).citation needed
Instead of using a rotodome, a moving radar found on AWACS aircraft, the Phalcon uses the Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA), an active phased array radar. This radar consists of an array transmit/receive (T/R) modules that allow a beam to be electronically steered, making a physically rotating rotodome unnecessary. AESA radars have very short to instantaneous scanning rates, which makes them difficult to detect.
Phalcon radars can be mounted on the an aircraft's fuselage or on the top inside a small dome. Either position gives the radar 360 degree coverage. This allows it to track high maneuvering targets and low flying objects from hundreds of kilometers away, under all weather conditions, in both day and night.
The radars can be fitted to a number of aircraft, including the Boeing 707, Boeing 767, Boeing 747, and the Ilyushin Il-76. Under a contract signed with Chile in 1989, the first Phalcon system to be installed was fitted to a former LanChile Boeing 707, and was first flown in 1993. In May 1994 the aircraft was delivered to the Chilean Air Force, where it is known as the Condor.
China's purchase of the Phalcon system in 2000 was denied due to pressure from the United States. India bought three Phalcon systems in 2004 for a cost of $1.1 billion. At the same time, Russia agreed to supply IL-76s to India for fitting of the Phalcon.
The Israeli Air Force has purchased 3 Gulfstream G550 aircraft to serve as the new IDF platform for the Phalcon system.[1] Extensive modifications made to the Gulfstream's fuselage, such as the addition of protruding composite radomes, are intended to allow for the housing of the radar arrays. In 2007, 4 similar G550-Phalcon aircraft were also purchased by the Republic of Singapore Air Force, to eventually replace its ageing E-2C Hawkeyes. All 4 G550s are expected to be in-service by 2010.[2]
Operators
Israel - 3 newer variants ("Eitam") in service on Gulfstream G550 platforms. Older variants on Boeing 707 Platforms are also in service.
Chile - 1 in service on a Boeing 707 platform.
India - 3 ordered on an Il-76 platform.[3] Deliveries to be completed by end-2008. Indian Air Force cleared proposals to acquire 3 more Phalcon in 2008.[4]
Singapore - 4 ordered on Gulfstream G550 platforms.
References
- ^ "Israel to receive the first of three Eitam AEW aircraft", RF Design Magazine (Feb 13, 2008). Retrieved on 2008-07-11.
- ^ Flight International: Singapore confirms new AEW purchase
- ^ Beriev Press Release
- ^ India to place follow-on order for three Phalcon AWACS with Israel: report news
External links
Wikipedia content modification information:
- This page was last modified on 15 August 2008, at 12:43.
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