In February 2016, Swedish defence company Saab announced the launch of a programme to integrate a variant of their Erieye radar system upon the CanadianBombardier Global 6000, a long range business jet, to produce a specialised airborne early warning & control (AEW&C) aircraft. This platform is commonly referred to as GlobalEye.[8] Saab stated that the launch was in response to expressions of interest from potential customers.[9]
Prior to the development of the GlobalEye, Saab had fitted the Erieye onto several separate AEW platforms, including the SwedishSaab 340 AEW&C and the BrazilianEmbraer R-99.[10] To facilitate the programme, Saab secured a supplemental type certificate, authorising the modification of the existing Global 6000 to the GlobalEye configuration.[11]
The manufacturing process involves the delivery of completed Global 6000s to Saab's facility in Linköping, where they undergo an extensive conversion process.[11] Modifications include the strengthening of both the airframe and wing, enabling the carriage of the Erieye radar, along with other sensors and wingtip-mounted equipment for electronic warfare purposes. Aerodynamic changes include the adoption of an extended tailfin, along with several ventral strakes located beneath the rear fuselage.[11] Additional power and cooling equipment is fitted. To improve survivability, a self-protection suite comprising laser and radar warning receivers, as well as countermeasures dispensers, is installed.[11] In early 2018, Saab observed that it could produce up to three GlobalEyes per year, and could begin deliveries within three years of receiving a contract.[11]
On 23 February 2018, Saab unveiled the first GlobalEye surveillance aircraft.[12] Days later, it began ground testing in advance of the type's first flight.[11] On 14 March 2018, the first GlobalEye conducted its maiden flight from Linköping. Flown by Saab experimental test pilot Magnus Fredriksson, this first flight lasted for 1 hour and 46 minutes.[3][13] By July 2018, the flight test programme was focused on expanding the aircraft's flight envelope. According to Saab's vice-president of airborne surveillance systems Lars Tossman, the first aircraft was being flown "more or less every day", and that no surprises had been uncovered during these flights.[14] In January 2019, the second aircraft performed its first flight.[15] In May 2019, it neared the end of the flight testing phase relating to certification.[16]
Design
The primary sensor of the GlobalEye is its Erieye ER airborne early warning (AEW) radar. Weighing approximately 1 tonne, it is mounted atop the twinjet's fuselage.[11] Saab has cited up to 450km (216nm) range for the AEW radar system when flown at an operating altitude of 30,000ft,[17] and 550km at 35,000ft.[18] In comparison with earlier versions of the Erieye radar, Saab claims it has achieved a 70% increase in detection range, achieved via the use of new technology, such as gallium nitride transmit/receive modules.[11] According to Saab Group, the GlobalEye is capable of detecting and tracking a combination of airborne and surface targets, the latter on both land and sea, while mission times of up to eleven hours in duration are possible.[19]
The GlobalEye can be operated without any onboard operators, streaming its surveillance output to ground-based stations instead. GlobalEye can simultaneously perform airborne, maritime and ground surveillance duties.[21][11][22][23] It has been offered with three layers of capability: the baseline AESA and C2 system for air, land and sea surveillance, along with some electronic intelligence functions; a version with additional infrared and sea-search functionality; and one with a dedicated signals intelligence (SIGINT) system.[8]
Operational history
In November 2015, the United Arab Emirates ordered the system, which it refers to as the Swing Role Surveillance System (SRSS), as part of a US$1.27 billion deal.[24][25] In February 2017, the UAE exercised an option to procure an additional third GlobalEye in a deal worth US$238 million.[26][27] According to UAE air force chief Ibrahim Naser Al Alawi, the GlobalEye should be a "strong force multiplier...an early warning radar which is capable also of detecting ballistic missiles, and to cover the whole domain as an air power".[11]
By May 2019, lead elements, including ground control stations, had been delivered to the UAE.[16] The UAE took delivery of its first GlobalEye per schedule in April 2020[1][2] the second delivery in September 2020,[28] and the third delivery in February 2021.[29] In January 2021, Saab announced that it had received a follow on contract from the UAE for the supply of two more GlobalEye systems, valued at US$1.018 billion.[4] In September 2024 Saab announced that the fifth and final GlobalEye had been delivered to the UAE Air Force.[30]
On June 18 2025 during the Paris Air Show Saab and the Direction générale de l'armement (DGA) signed a joint declaration of intent for the future sale of two Globaleye with options for two additional aircraft. The contract for two Globaleye is planned to be finalised sometime in the following months.[33]
The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) signed a contract with SAAB for the acquisition of two GlobalEye aircraft in June 2022 for a value of 7.3 billion SEK (US$710 million). The contract also included the option to procure up to two additional GlobalEye aircraft.[34][35]
In June 2024 FMV exercised the option for a third GlobalEye aircraft to help replace the two Saab 340 AEW&C donated to Ukraine.[36][37]
The aircraft will be delivered from 2027 and will be designated S 106 in the Swedish Air Force.
Potential order of an AEW&C aircraft considered by Canada, a budget of USD 3.65 billion is mentioned. The E-7 Wedgetail is one of the other competitors considered.[38][39]
The aircraft will be presented to Canada at CANSEC 2025.[40]
Finland in 2024 revealed it was considering seconding staff to the Swedish GlobalEye unit with a view to a future purchase if funding becomes available.[41]
In January 2025 Swedish Minister for Defence Pål Jonson stated that discussions were ongoing for a potential joint purchase of GlobalEye with both Denmark and Finland.[42]
In April 2025, the Swedish Parliament Riksdagen approved a proposal to support selling up to 4 GlobalEye units to Denmark. The Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen confirmed that the GlobalEye was being considered as a "relevant opportunity for Denmark".[43]
Saab and KAI (Korea Aerospace Industries) signed a memorandum of understanding in October 2024 for industrial cooperation and transfer of technology regarding the AEW&C II programme for the South Korean Air Force.[46]
In 2020, Saab was offering two GlobalEye aircraft in addition to 64 Gripen E/F as part of its bid for the Finnish HX Fighter Program.[47] From 30 January to 6 February 2020 GlobalEye participated in HX Challenge flight evaluations, flying to Finland from Linköping in Sweden, with a Finnish Air Force delegation on board.[48]
In February 2023, SAAB announced that it had responded to a request for information from the NATO Support and Procurement Agency, regarding the replacement of its current fleet of E-3 Sentry aircraft. In November 2023, NATO decided to procure the Boeing E-7 Wedgetail[49][50], a decision that later has been cast into doubt due to the US cancellation of the E-7 Wedgetail program[51].
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