Saab say it has completed a successful first flight with the second GlobalEye Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft today.
The second GlobalEye aircraft took off for the first time at 11.00 am on 3 January from Saab’s airfield in Linköping.
GlobalEye, which is based on a modified Bombardier Global 6000 aircraft with a suite of advanced sensors including the Erieye ER airborne radar, undertook a test flight collecting flight-test data.
The flight duration was 2 hours 54 minutes.
“Today’s successful first flight is another major step for GlobalEye. We received the initial contract in late 2015, completed the maiden flight with the first aircraft in March 2018 and now we have the second aircraft in the air just over nine months later. This is the kind of efficiency that signifies Saab”, said Anders Carp, Head of Saab’s business area Surveillance.
GlobalEye is an Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft that is a ‘true swing role multi-mission solution’ say the company.
“It combines multiple sensors and sophisticated data fusion into an intuitive mission system on the Bombardier Global 6000 jet with fully networked communications. This capability gives excellent flexibility across the full mission spectrum in peacetime to warfighting, and particularly benefits joint force commanders managing combined air, sea and land operations.”
Lars Tossman from Saab Surveillance, spoke about the highlights so far at the Farnborough International Airshow last year:
“In a period of just over two years Saab has rolled out and then, a few weeks later, flown GlobalEye. The flight test programme is running according to plan with the flight envelope being opened up, whilst on the ground the mission system completed all its rig testing,” said Lars.
“We are very satisfied with all these results and believe GlobalEye is going to be unrivalled in the capabilities it offers.”
why is it this looks like something that’s been bodged together with bits and pieces?
Other than its something that has been bodged together with bits and pieces, I don’t know.
All the yellow bits you see are still in epoxy primer, don’t forget this is just a trial flight, hence the unfinished look.
Apparently the Japanese Government are looking to Procure these GlobalEyes too………I just hope to god they don’t call them “JapsEyes”…….
🙂
How about junior eyes after our POS PM?
I’m glad the UK is looking at E7 instead.
How powerfull can that thing Be?
I’ve seen the first one flying in and out of Doncaster airport for probably the year or so. We have a textron hanger which it parks by and stays here for a week or so at a time. Not seen it for a few months though.