Saab 340 AEW&C
Introduction The '''Saab 340 AEW&C''' is a Swedish airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft; a variant of the Saab 340 aircraft is designated '''S 100B Argus''' by the Swedish Air Force.
Radar Compared to the traditional circular radar on AWACS planes, such as the E-3 Sentry, the Saab 340 has a non-movable PS-890 AESA radar made with the Erieye system which offers lower drag, but has a dead zone directly behind and in front of the plane, with a 120 degree zone of scan on either side of the airframe. The mounted radar is capable of tracking ships, planes and missiles up to 190-250 mi (300-400 km) while at an altitude of .
Operational history Six S 100B Argus aircraft were produced for the Swedish Air Force, four of which are permanently equipped with the Erieye active electronically scanned array (AESA) early warning radar and two fitted for transport missions during peacetime.Two modified planes were loaned to Greece prior to the delivery of EMB-145 Erieye systems, which commenced in 2003.In July 2006, Saab was awarded a contract to upgrade two of the Swedish Air Force's S 100B aircraft for surveillance missions and for deployment in multi-national operations. The upgraded Saab 340 AEW-300 aircraft, are planned to enter service by 2009.In November 2007, Thailand announced the intention to buy two S 100B AEW aircraft from the Swedish Air Force.
Variants ;Saab 340B AEW / S 100B Argus :(FSR-890) Erieye, for the Thai Air Force. ;Saab 340B AEW-200: (IS-340) Erieye;Saab 340B AEW-300 / S 100D Argus : (ASC-890) Erieye
Operators Swedish Air Force Saab 340 ''Argus''Royal Thai Air Force Saab 340 AEW&CPakistan Air Force Saab 2000 AEW&C;Current;* Swedish Air Force operates two aircraft (2 S100D / ASC890). SAAB GlobalEye was ordered as replacements in June 2022.;* Royal Thai Air Force operates two aircraft delivered completely on October, 2012.;* Polish Air Force - Purchased two Saab 340 AEW early warning and control aircraft in July 2023 with deliveries planned to start in 2024.The first plane was delivered in September 2023.;Former operators;* Hellenic Air Force formerly loaned two aircraft. ;* United Arab Emirates Air Force - 2 operated. Retired in 2020 after replacement by GlobalEye (Bombardier 6000).===Saab 2000 AEW&C operators===In December 1988, Saab decided to build a stretched derivative of its Saab 340, called '''Saab 2000. ''';* Pakistan Air Force operates 7 aircraft. ; * Royal Saudi Air Force operates 2 aircraft.
Specifications (Saab 340 AEW&C)
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