Embraer flight-testing India's last AEW EMB-145

[S-DUCT]

Embraer is flight-testing the last of three EMB-145 aircraft modified to be fitted with an airborne surveillance radar for India. Once the activity has been completed in Brazil, the aircraft will be delivered to the Indian Defence Research and Development Organisation's (DRDO) Centre for Airborne Systems to have an indigenous active electronically scanned array radar installed.

"They have two aircraft with the mission systems already installed," says Embraer, which adds that it provides technical assistance to India with regard to integrating the platform's mission systems. "It's a joint programme," Embraer says. "We have our technicians going there and some Indian technicians coming here."

The system, referred to in India as the Airborne Early Warning and Control System, is not operational yet, Embraer says. Two aircraft are still undergoing tests at the DRDO, but if the project proves to be successful it could be inducted into service with the Indian air force. Sources suggest that the type's radar is likely to have been designed with Israeli assistance.

One unique feature of the Indian aircraft is that they are fitted with an in-flight refuelling probe, which should boost their range and endurance considerably. "It's the first time one of our [intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance] platforms based on the -145 has the air refuelling system," Embraer says.

Embraer says that while India has options to buy more of the aircraft, it cannot disclose that information.

 

[Koovie]

good news! They look slim an neat

 

[Capt.Popeye]

good news! They look slim an neat

Indeed they do. And quite "bristling with sensors" all around. Fairly indicative of their capabilities...

 

[Sergi]

Can any one explain the operational benifits of this system over the systems we already have in IAF ???

 

[axisofevil]

Sadly, we cannot build such aircraft.

 

[GR!FF!N]

we need some 10-15 this kind of AWACS before we move towards next gen DRDO AWACS which will be ready post 2020.there is no news on follow on orders though,but India will go for more AWACS is quite certain..

 

[neehar]

wow...indian defence post 2025 would be a formidable force with all the awacs,flankers,fgfas,rafaels,tejas,apachies,LCHs and navy with 2 ACCs nuclear subs,brand new frigates, destroyers and special purpose ships,army with new howitzers,ammo and state of the art tech.. kudos

 

[Capt.Popeye]

Can any one explain the operational benifits of this system over the systems we already have in IAF ???

No operational benefits over Phalcons. Its cheaper to make and operate. Most of all the electronically innards are from local procurement, hence easier to operate in the longer run.

 

[Ayush]

good news.

 

[Sergi]

No operational benefits over Phalcons. Its cheaper to make and operate. Most of all the electronically innards are from local procurement, hence easier to operate in the longer run.

A new platform for a new system. - maintainace nightmare.
No operational advantage - it doesn't even cover 360 degree

It should have just limited to R&D and know how project than actual induction.
Research should be more concentrated on our forces need.

No matter how big success it is or will be but if it doesn't fit in our forces OP doctrine what it's use is ???

 

[Capt.Popeye]

A new platform for a new system. - maintainace nightmare.
No operational advantage - it doesn't even cover 360 degree

It should have just limited to R&D and know how project than actual induction.
Research should be more concentrated on our forces need.
No matter how big success it is or will be but if it doesn't fit in our forces OP doctrine what it's use is ???

You've not UNDERSTOOD my post. It is more economical to own and operate. The IAF is not the USAF, gettit. It is in fact far cheaper to maintain the A-50 Berievs. It is necessarily part of the IAF's Hi-Lo mix of aircraft in this segment. Just as (for example) the LCA-Su-30-Rafale mix will be.

Since you are some kind of expert on the underlined part; please tell me more about the IAF's Operational Doctrines! Tell me; I'm all ready.
And how the Embraer AWACS DOES NOT fit into it...........

 

[Sergi]

Since you are some kind of expert on the underlined part; please tell me more about the IAF's Operational Doctrines! Tell me; I'm all ready.
And how the Embraer AWACS DOES NOT fit into it...........

Next time read whole sentence with "if"
I am not some kinda expert like you... Which you definitely are good luck with that
You should find somebody who can answer you. And that's definitely not me

 

[sancho]

A new platform for a new system. - maintainace nightmare.
No operational advantage - it doesn't even cover 360 degree

And who needs it? Mate these aircrafts are mainly flying alongside the borderline and not head on to Pakistani or Chinese airspace, that's why 360° is not an important capability like many people confuse it. Guess why the Israeli AWACS platforms don't offer a radome with a fully fledged radar array to the front, or at least a rotodome. Similarly, why the latest US AWACS (the Boeing 737 Wedgetail) also has only limited detection capabilities to the front and back areas?
Don't fall on DRDOs PR, 360° detection capability is good to have, but in most operational cases not needed, or can be countered by overlaying flight path of different AWACS, not to mention that these might be escorted by MKIs with BARS anyway.

For us capabilities like high speed (can cover more area in shorter time), IFR capability (to extend range and endurance), SATCOM, customised EW sensors and capabilities, or having an indigenous radar systems are far far more important than 360° detection. Most importantly though, it will give us total operational and technical freedom, to use it like and when we want and to add whichever techs we need, to link all of our fighters for example, no matter which origin they are from.

The advantages to the A50 Phalcon are as Capt.Popeye correctly said, mainly cost reasons, be it the procurement costs which are far cheaper, or the maintenance costs. But again, most importantly will be the fact that it is an indigenous radar systems, which makes us not dependen on Israel for upgrades, even if our system currently could be less capable. When ever DRDO comes up with something good that would be worth it to add on this aircraft, we can do it, without asking anybody else or paying high ammount of money. The only problem here is, that DRDO is sadly not looking at improving this system, but is wasting time and resources on dreaming about AWACS India.
No doubt, the A50 Phalcons will be the most capable AWACS for us, but the EMB 145 DRDO AWACS, could be the workhorse of IAF, with a lot of groth potential for DRDO too!

I share your view about not adding another type if it doesn't offer enough advantages (AMCA for IAF), but in this case, the biggest advantage would be to add a good ammount of AWACS aircrafts, as fast as possible, to provide full AWACS coverage 24/7 alongside the Pakistani and Chinese borders. That's why follow on orders would be so important and why I hope for IAF to have some practical sense and don't put all their hope on DRDO again.

 

[Sergi]

@sancho :
Lets see what IAF think of your opinion

I am pretty sure IAF will be looking at the number of systems it need ; and number of systems PAF & PLAF has

 

[sancho]

@sancho :
Lets see what IAF think of your opinion

I am pretty sure IAF will be looking at the number of systems it need ; and number of systems PAF & PLAF has

I hope so, because that they will see that PAF already has a tactical advantage over them in this field and the Indo-Pak border area. They might have less capable plattforms and systems, don't have IFR capability and some difficulties to link their fighters, but they have more numbers to provide a good coverage and a deep look into our territory. Add the several squads of BVR fighters on their side and our BVR advantage is gone!
The 8 x AWACS we have on order so far are simply not enough to cover such a large area effectively and to get the full advantages out of such high end systems.