Sweden will re-build some SAAB 2000 to AWACS, the buyer is Pakistan.

So what was wrong with the Saab 340-based AWACS platform? I would have though there would be more airframes avaliable for Saab and Pakistan to choose from.

Pakistan has desperately been looking for an AWACS/AEW/AEW&C platform for years. They tried very hard to buy some or all of Saudi Arabia's 5 E-3As, to no avail. I'll assume this is confirming the rumour that PAF finally found some.

Ciao, and Hook 'em Horns,
Capt-AWACS, I'd like to super size that with a diet coke

and a rumor say,s that PIA want,s to replace there,s F-27 with 7 SAAB 2000.

CV990A, surely the SAAB2000 is bigger and better. Order was worth 740 MUS$ for SAAB.

[Edited 2006-06-22 17:38:32]

Now Swiss intends to retire them there should be a lot of S2000 available. Pretty much half the fleet is (was?) owned by Swiss.

Quoting CV990A (Reply 1): So what was wrong with the Saab 340-based AWACS platform?

It's likely that the PAF wants more operator stations in their AWACS platform and longer loiter time.

How well is the SAAB-2000 AWACS compared, to say a Wedgetail, or a E-2C?

Well the Erieye radar has two 60 degree cones not covered nose and tail (due to the canoe design of 200 solid state transmit/received modules that are fixed) but this is not a huge problem as Pakistan knows the threat axis. The Swedes can datalink the Erieye and actually control from the ground, but the Saab 340 also had 4 control stations in it. I would guess the 2000 would have 4-6. They don't need anything like the 9-14 on the E-3 but it is more than the 3 on the E-2C. It is a bit more comparable to Wedgetail in both Radar and SOPs IMuO (in my unclassified opinion)

Ciao, and Hook 'em Horns,
Capt-AWACS, You better Belize it!

Quoting SAS A340 (Reply 3): and a rumor say,s that PIA want,s to replace there,s F-27 with 7 SAAB 2000.

They ordered ATRs to replace them. The 1st one recently arrived. You'll find it somewhere in the a.net banner news.

ok A342,thank,s for the info  

Quoting Lt-AWACS (Reply 2): They tried very hard to buy some or all of Saudi Arabia's 5 E-3As, to no avail. I'll assume this is confirming the rumour that PAF finally found some.

Update:
And then more - if Congress approves the US DoD notification for the proposed sale of three modified P-3Cs to Pakistan. Eight P-3C maritime patrol aircraft are reportedly already being refurbished for the Pakistani Navy.....

http://www.flightglobal.com/Articles....+Lockheed+Martin+P-3C+Orions.html

Quoting Lt-AWACS (Reply 8): but the Saab 340 also had 4 control stations in it. I would guess the 2000 would have 4-6. They don't need anything like the 9-14 on the E-3 but it is more than the 3 on the E-2C. It is a bit more comparable to Wedgetail in both Radar and SOPs IMuO (in my unclassified opinion)

It the deal pushes through, the modified P-3C would have the Hawkeye 2000's mission system which includes the LM built APS-145 radar and rotodome.....

Quote:
"the proposed sale of three ex-US Navy Lockheed P-3Cs equipped with the AEW mission system from Northrop's E-2C Hawkeye 2000. This includes the Lockheed-built APS-145 radar and rotodome."

[Edited 2006-12-19 21:28:25]

Update:

Flightglobal reports that Pakistan has received its first of nine upgraded P-3C Orions.....

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles.../pakistan-receives-first-p-3c.html

It appears that the P-3Cs are still to be upgraded.....

http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/...ystems-for-pakistans-p3s/index.php

The SAAG assessment by a retired IN officer is an interesting read.

[Edited 2007-01-31 07:37:20]

Quoting Alessandro (Thread starter): Sweden will re-build some SAAB 2000 to AWACS, the buyer is Pakistan.

It appears that the order has been reduced to six AEW&C aircraft.....

http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/...IR_S100B_Argus_AEWC_Cutaway_lg.jpg

http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/...tract-with-pakistan/index.php#more

Quote:
May 28/07:

"Maybe not quite finalized. A Saab release states that:

'With reference to the sale of Saab Airborne Surveillance Systems to Pakistan, the customer has for financial reasons and in accordance with the original contract, asked to renegotiate part of the contract concerning a reduction of the number of systems. Together with Saab terms and conditions then have been agreed, concerning a reduction. Saab and the Government of Pakistan continue as planned with the delivery of the system.

As a result of the renegotiation, the order value is decreased by approximately SEK 1.35 billion [DID 8.3B - 1.35B = 6.95B, a 16.3% reduction and about $1 billion at a May 28 conversion]. Income will decrease proportionally to the volume change, but other commercial terms and conditions will remain unchanged.'

While the number of planes in the revised order was not specified, the reduction amount suggests that the contract now covers 6 AEW&C aircraft, and 6 transports."

Quoting Lt-AWACS (Reply 8): It is a bit more comparable to Wedgetail in both Radar and SOPs IMuO (in my unclassified opinion)

... while loiter time will be the weakest point of the Saab 2000 design ... how much is it? I would guess around 5 hours. Does the Wedgetail have the xtra tanks form the BBJ? If so it will surely have 10 and more hours loiter time.

Quoting PADSpot (Reply 15): ... while loiter time will be the weakest point of the Saab 2000 design ... how much is it?

From SAAB's site.....

http://www.saabgroup.com/en/ProductsServices/products_az.htm

Quote:

Saab Surveillance System

"Increased Tactical Flexibility
The Saab 2000 ERIEYE™ AEW&C combines a modern turboprop aircraft with an advanced technology sensor system to provide a highly capable yet cost effective surveillance platform. The primary role of the Saab 2000 ERIEYE™ AEW&C is to detect and track targets. The Saab 2000 aircraft is able to in incorporate high speed dash with low speed loitering capability, with inherent fuel efficiency that meets demanding AEW&C requirements for performing a 180 degree turn in less than 30 seconds with an endurance of more than 9 hours."

Quoting PADSpot (Reply 15): If so it will surely have 10 and more hours loiter time.

See.....

http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/ic/aewc/specs.html

Quote: requirements for performing a 180 degree turn in less than 30 seconds

certainly a benchmark one shouldn't forget about if you don't have 360° radar coverage ...

Quoting DEVILFISH (Reply 16): with an endurance of more than 9 hours."

huh ... a turboprop with 4500km range ... awesome. I guessed all the radar and control equipment would eat up its weight reserves so that it had to fly with standard fuel capacity ...

Quote: Time-On-Station 9.0 hours

that is more on the lower end of my expectation. Although, I guess, it is easier to integrate inflight refueling into a 737 than it is with a Saab 2000.

Quoting PADSpot (Reply 17): that is more on the lower end of my expectation. Although, I guess, it is easier to integrate inflight refueling into a 737 than it is with a Saab 2000.

I think in-flight refuelling beyond the 9 hour optimum endurance is discouraged due to crew fatigue and stress factors.

Update:

Pakistan's AWACS comes out - photos here.....

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles...irst-saab-aewc-system-emerges.html

Quote:
"Pakistan's first of five Saab 2000-based airborne early warning and control system aircraft was rolled out at the Swedish manufacturer's Linköping facility late last month.

Equipped with a Saab Microwave Systems Erieye surveillance radar, mission system and electronic warfare equipment, the Saab Aerotech-modified aircraft will offer an unrefuelled endurance of over nine hours. 'This is a vital item of equipment to maintain peace,' Pakistan air force chief of staff Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed said during a 27 March ceremony."

Quoting CV990A (Reply 1): So what was wrong with the Saab 340-based AWACS platform?

Lets see.... the Saab 200 is bigger, faster, holds more fuel, has more time on station. Which would you choose......?