The S100B Argus airborne early warning and control aircraft entered service with the Swedish Air Force in 1997. The S100B is a Saab 340B aircraft, built by Saab Aircraft, with an Erieye mission radar from Saab (formerly Ericsson) Microwave Systems.

Six S100B Argus aircraft were produced for the Swedish Air Force, four of which are permanently equipped with early warning radar and two fitted for transport missions during peacetime.

S100B Argus AEW&C upgrades

In July 2006, Saab was awarded a contract to upgrade two of the Swedish Air Force’s S100B aircraft for surveillance missions and for deployment in multi-national operations. The two upgraded aircraft, the Saab 340 AEW-300, were delivered to the Swedish Armed Forces in April 2009.

In November 2007, Thailand announced the intention to buy two S100B AEW aircraft from the Swedish Air Force. The first S100 B AEW aircraft was delivered in 2010. The second aircraft, fitted with Erieye radar, is scheduled for delivery in 2013.

On patrol the aircraft operates at a typical cruise speed of 300km/h and at an altitude of 2,000m to 6,000m depending on the mission parameters.

“The radar can detect fighter aircraft at a range of 350km.”

S100B modified Saab 340B aircraft design

The airframe is a modified Saab 340B which is the hot and high variant of the Saab 340 regional aircraft, powered by GE CT-9B engines. The thrust lines of the engines, instead of being symmetrical about the centre line of the aircraft, are both angled to the starboard side in order to give improved aerodynamic control in balance with the installation of the spine-mounted radar.

The aircraft structure incorporates larger strakes below the rear section of the fuselage below the position of the tail fin. Small blade vortex generators have been built into the wing and tail to modify the local airflow and give improved control.

Erieye-based FSR 890 Flygburen spaning radar

The mission radar, the Flygburen spaning radar with the Swedish Air Force designation FSR 890, is based on the Erieye side-looking airborne radar (SLAR) from Ericsson Microwave Systems. The Erieye SLAR is a long-range pulse Doppler radar, fitted with fixed active phased array antennae and operating within the 2GHz to 4GHz, Nato E to F bands, (the US S band). The 9m-long, 900kg antenna unit is mounted on the upper spine of the fuselage and gives the aircraft its distinctive appearance.

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The Erieye radar provides 360° coverage with optimum performance of the radar over the 150° azimuthal sectors on each side of the aircraft. The radar can detect fighter aircraft at a range of 350km in a dense hostile electronic warfare environment, in heavy radar clutter and at low target altitudes. The radar has a sea surveillance mode.

Long range coverage for targets at all altitudes EXTENDED COVERAGE MEC-MS 006

The Erieye system has full interoperability with Nato air defence command systems. The system uses solid-state electronics, open-system architecture and ruggedised commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware, with general-purpose programmable workstations and full-colour liquid crystal displays.

The radar incorporates an identification friend or foe and a secondary surveillance radar (IFF SSR) with an electronic support measures unit operating over the Nato E to J bands from 2GHz to 18GHz.

The main cabin is equipped with a suite of multifunction workstations for up to three operators for radar, fighter control and functions associated with the land-based operations.

The aircraft has a secure voice and datalink communications suite with HF and VHF / UHF links. The V / UHF datalink operates at 4,800bps.

Cockpit

The cockpit accommodates two pilots and a mission commander.

The main avionics bay is installed immediately aft of the cockpit. The avionics suite includes a military instrument landing system (TILS), a Rockwell Collins APS-85 automatic flight control system, a Lockheed flight data recorder and Sundstrand ground proximity warning system. The aircraft’s navigation system includes an integrated inertial navigation and global positioning INS / GPS system.

Rockwell Collins APS-85 automatic flight control system

The Rockwell Collins APS-85 is an all-digital autopilot and flight director system. It provides you with a three-axis, fail-safe system designed for use in high-performance jet and turboprop aircraft. The system’s digital computer features two totally independent computation channels and four microprocessors that contribute to excellent flight precision, reliability, safety and operational flexibility.

The system consists of a dual-channel Flight Control Computer, dual Mode Control Panels, an Autopilot Panel and triple servos and mounts.

Features & Benefits

The APS-85 is certified and operational on the SAAB 340, BAE-800, Falcon 20 and 50, Lear 55, Challenge 600 and the Astra Jet

Source rockwellcollins.com

Royal Thai Navy Frigate has Successfully Tested its Datalink with RTAF Aircraft

Royal Thai Air Force Net Work Centric developed by Avia Satcom/Rohde & Schwar

Engines

The GE CT7-9B engines have automatic power reserve and are fitted with Kidde engine fire detection systems. A Cox electrical anti-icing system is installed in the engine air intakes. The Dowty four-bladed constant speed propellers, with auto-feathering and reverse pitch, have a diameter of 3.35m.

2 x GE CT7-9B engines

	CT7-9
Compressor Stages	6
Low-Pressure Turbine / High-Pressure Turbine	2/2
Nominal Diameter (Inches)	29
Length (Inches)	96
Take off rating at Sea Level	1,870-1,950
SFC at take-off rating	0.455

Source geaviation.com

There are four fuel tanks, with an inboard and an outboard tank in each wing, of total fuel capacity 3,220l.

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A single point pressure refuelling inlet is installed in the leading edge of the starboard outer wing and a gravity refuelling point is installed in the centre of the outer section of both wings.

A Hamilton Sundstrand auxiliary power unit is installed in the modified and extended tailcone. A third air cycle pack dedicated to mission system cooling is installed in the cargo compartment.

Landing gear

The AP Precision hydraulically operated retractable landing gear is fitted with Goodyear wheels, ABS carbon disc brakes on the main landing units and a Hydro Aire anti-skid system.

The minimum turning radius is 8.90m.

Description: The Saab 340 AEW&C is an affordable Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft developed in conjunction by Saab, airborne platform, and Ericsson , Erieye surveillance radar system, for the Swedish Air Force in the late 1990s. The Royal Thai Air Force currently operate 2 planes since October 2012.

Saab 340 AEW&C Specifications

Crew: 7
Number of Engines: 2
Propeller Blades: 4
Area
Wing Area: 42 square meter (450 square foot)
Dimensions
Height: 6.97 meter (22.9 foot)
Length: 19.7 meter (65 foot)
Wingspan: 21.4 meter (70 foot)
Performance
Ceiling: 31,000 foot (9,449 meter)
Max Detection Range: 300 kilometer
Max Detection Range in Altitude: 82,000 foot
Max Range: 1,735 kilometer (937 nautical mile)
Power
Max Power at TakeOff: 3,500 shp (2,611 kW)
Speed
Cruise Speed: 523 kph (325 mph)
Weight
Max Takeoff Weight: 13,155 kilogram (29,001 pound)
Operational Weight: 8,140 kilogram