Defence Online

Saab’s GlobalEye aircraft enjoys successful first flight

Air March 23, 2018

Saab successfully completed the first flight of the GlobalEye Airborne Early Warning & Control aircraft from the company’s airfield in Linköping, Sweden.

The aircraft, a modified Bombardier Global 6000 jet platform, undertook a 1 hour 46 minutes test flight collecting extensive flight-test data using the on-board instrumentation suite. This data is then used to verify the aircraft performance and associated modelling. The first flight was preceded by a series of ground trials including high and low speed taxiing tests.

GlobalEye combines air, maritime and ground surveillance in one swing-role solution and carries a full suite of sophisticated sensors including the powerful new extended range radar (Erieye ER), integrated with the ultra-long range Global 6000 aircraft, known for its versatility and smooth flight characteristics.

Anders Carp, Senior Vice President and head of Saab’s business area Surveillance, said: “The first flight is the second major milestone for the GlobalEye programme within a very short space of time. Yet again we have demonstrated that we are delivering on our commitments and that we are on track with our production of the world’s most advanced swing-role surveillance system.”

The GlobalEye launch customer is the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces, where it is known as the Swing Role Surveillance System (SRSS). The initial order was placed in November 2015.

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Airborne Early Warning & Control Bombardier Global 6000 GlobalEye Saab United Arab Emirates