Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. announced that has delivered a second Conformal Airborne Early Warning and Control surveillance aircraft under the reciprocal procurement deal in which Israel bought 30 training aircraft from Italy.
According to the jpost.com, the first Conformal Airborne Early Warning and Control (CAEW) surveillance aircraft was delivered to the Italians a year ago. Six months ago, the Opsat 3000 surveillance satellite developed by IAI for the Italian Ministry of Defence was launched into outer space from French Guiana. The volume of reciprocal procurement from IAI in exchange for the training planes deal was over NIS 4 billion. The purchase of M-346 training aircraft produced by Leonardo was estimated at $1 billion.
The early warning planes supplied to Italy were built on the platform of the Gulfstream executive jets equipped with the Conformal Airborne Early Warning and Control (CAEW) System developed by IAI subsidiary Elta Systems. These systems have been in operation use by the Israel air force for 12 years and called the Lavie, but the version delivered to the Italian air force includes upgraded radar capabilities, as well as a unique communications system developed by Elta and Italian company Leonardo.
“The system reflects the deep and fruitful cooperation between the Italian and Israeli defense ministries, including the understanding on each side of the needs and challenges facing the other,” said Dr. Danny Gold, head of the Administration for the Development of Weapons and Technological Infrastructure.
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Based on the Gulfstream G550 business jet, the CAEW aircraft is an early-warning and air-control system developed by Israel Aircraft Industry’s Elta division. It provides aerial and maritime situational awareness at all altitudes, over any terrain and in any weather condition and can also operate at long range with extended flight time.
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The aircraft is also fitted with a 360-degree self-protection system (SPS) that includes active and passive sensors, and countermeasures against incoming missiles. The Italian aircraft have a NATO-compatible communications system that has been jointly developed by Elta and Leonardo.
