Gulfstream, Elta Ready First Nachshon G550 Special Mission Aircraft
The Israeli Air Force Nachshon (Gulfstream G550) special mission aircraft is the first airborne platform mounting the Elta company's latest advanced SIGINT systems.
The first configuration of Nachshon will be the Airborne Integrated Signal Intelligence System (AISIS) — actually a ‘system of systems’ that can operate independently or in a network combining several sensors for faster, wider and more accurate surveillance of the Electronic Order of Battle (EOB).
Nachshon utilizes an external ‘gondola’ housing all special missions avionics. The platform and systems located in the gondola are interconnected via a standard interface, which enables rapid changes in missions, such as SIGINT, Flying Command Post, SAR or maritime surveillance.
Nachshon will be equipped with multiple SIGINT sensors, linked to a ground-based processing center via an ‘information highway’ running on line-of-sight- and satellite-based datalink communications. There are 12 operator consoles, high-speed local area network (LAN), servers, and airborne recording and playback equipment for onboard processing and analysis. When sensor data is fully relayed to the ground, the AISIS can be operated as an Airborne Command and Control Center (ACC).
The Israeli Air Force opted for the G550 Special Electronic Mission Aircraft (SEMA) as the most economical platform suitable for the mission profile it required. Its design is also very efficient, providing unobstructed hemispherical coverage for the sensors. The IAF currently operates the Boeing 707-based REEM special missions.
Construction and modification of the first of three Gulfstream 550s was completed in the U.S. It is expected to arrive at Israel Aircraft Industries this month, for installation of its COMINT/ELINT mission systems. The IAF is planning to acquire three additional G550s for AEW missions.
An international team comprising Gulfstream, IAI/Elta, and L-3 Communications is competing for an AEW systems requirement for the Republic of Korea. For this application IAI is proposing the Falcon radar, which has been selected for the air forces of India, Chile and Israel. The G550 platform offered for the AEW mission is slightly different from the AISIS SIGINT aircraft, as it has to accommodate several radar modules distributed throughout the aircraft. —Tamir Eshel
