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Embraer AEW&C Exports
The Greek (Hellenic) Air Force has four Embraer EMB-145AEW&C (Airborne Early Warning & Control) aircraft on order and holds another two options. Two have been delivered, and two more are currently being fitted out in Sweden by Ericsson, where they are undergoing calibration, integration and acceptance trials. 145AEW&C’s cabin has five side-facing operator consoles, precision ESM, advanced communications, datalink and self-protection systems. Embraer claims that these aircraft carry the most advanced datalink in NATO. They use Link 11 and Link 16 communications to NATO AWACS and strike aircraft, as well as to ground stations and warships.
The Mexican Air Force has an EMB145AEW&C aircraft and an EMB 145MP maritime patrol aircraft, both of which were fully operational in July 2004. The 145MP’s radar is a modification of the ground surveillance equipment aboard the Brazilian Air Force’s R-99B remote sensing version of the ERJ-145 regional jet.
Embraer’s next move is to ‘beef up’ the wing and weaponise the airframe with four underwing pylons as the maritime patrol/anti-submarine warfare EMB-145MP/ASW variant, which will be armed with anti-shipping missiles, torpedoes and mines.
The aircraft is being developed, but not for a specific order, said Anastacio Katsanos, Embraer’s chief of Defense Programs. “We are negotiating an order for a version of this aircraft for the Brazilian Air Force, and are involved in 15 other separate selection processes around the world,” he told Show News. “The aircraft will have an endurance exceeding 10 hours, be fitted with six operator consoles, and offer a multimission capability with a radius of action of 1,600 nmi. Wherever we present our ideas we find more countries are looking for a jet aircraft solution (to the MP/ASW requirement) rather than continuing with turboprops.” —Mike Vines
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