Saab 340 AEW&C

{{short description|Airborne early warning and command aircraft}}

{{Infobox aircraft begin

| name = Saab 340 AEWCS
S 100 Argus

| image = File:S 100B at Malmen 2010-06-13 1.jpg

| caption = An S 100B Argus at Malmen, 2010

}}{{Infobox aircraft type

| type = AEWCS aircraft

| national origin = Sweden

| manufacturer = Saab AB

| designer =

| first flight = 1994{{cite web|url=http://www.forsvarsmakten.se/sv/Materiel-och-teknik/Flyg/Flygplan-S-100B-Argus/|title=Flygplan S 100 B|date=|accessdate=2011-08-02|publisher=forsvarsmakten.se|language=Swedish|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110812012829/http://www.forsvarsmakten.se/sv/Materiel-och-teknik/Flyg/Flygplan-S-100B-Argus/|archivedate=2011-08-12}}

| introduced = 1997

| status = Active

| primary user = Swedish Air Force

| more users = Royal Thai Air Force
Polish Air Force

| produced = 1994–1999

| number built = 12

| unit cost =

| developed from = Saab 340

| variants with their own articles =

| developed into =

}}

The Saab 340 AEW&C is a Swedish airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft. A variant of the Saab 340 aircraft, it is designated S 100B Argus by the Swedish Air Force.

Radar

Compared to the traditional circular radar on AWACS planes, such as the E-3 Sentry, the Saab 340 has a non-movable PS-890 AESA radar made with the Erieye system. It offers lower drag, but has a dead zone directly behind and in front of the plane, with a 120 degree zone of scan on either side of the airframe.{{Cite web |last=Zorro |first=Mario H. |date=2018-05-01 |title=Saab 340 AEWC |url=https://plane-encyclopedia.com/uncategorized/saab-340-aewc/ |access-date=2022-05-04 |website=Plane-Encyclopedia |language=en-US}} The mounted radar is capable of tracking ships, planes and missiles up to 190-250 mi (300-400 km), while at an altitude of {{convert|20,000|ft|abbr=on}}.{{Cite web |last=Zorro |first=Mario H. |date=2018-05-01 |title=Saab 340 AEWC |url=https://plane-encyclopedia.com/uncategorized/saab-340-aewc/ |access-date=2022-05-04 |website=Plane-Encyclopedia |language=en-US}}

Operational history

Six S 100B Argus aircraft were produced for the Swedish Air Force. Four are permanently equipped with the Erieye active electronically scanned array (AESA) early warning radar. Two are fitted for transport missions during peacetime.

Two modified planes were loaned to Greece prior to the delivery of EMB-145 Erieye systems, which commenced in 2003.

In July 2006, Saab was awarded a contract to upgrade two of the Swedish Air Force's S 100B aircraft for surveillance missions, and for deployment in multi-national operations. The upgraded Saab 340 AEW-300 aircraft, entered service in 2009.

In November 2007, Thailand announced the intention to buy two S 100B AEW aircraft from the Swedish Air Force.

On May 29th, 2024, the Swedish Ministry of Defense announced that two{{cite web|url=https://kyivindependent.com/sweden-announces-new-1-3-billion-military-aid-package-for-ukraine/|language=en|access-date=2024-06-01|title=Sweden announces $1.3 billion in military aid for Ukraine in largest package ever}} Airborne Surveillance and Control aircraft (ASC 890) will be sent to Ukraine, in the 16th military support package.{{cite web|url=https://www.government.se/press-releases/2024/05/military-support-package-16-to-ukraine--new-capability-to-strengthen-ukraines-air-defence-and-support-to-meet-its-prioritised-needs/|language=en|access-date=2024-05-29|title=Military support package 16 to Ukraine, Ministry of Defense}}

Variants

;Saab 340B AEW / S 100B Argus

:(FSR-890) Erieye, for the Thai Air Force.

;Saab 340B AEW-200

:(IS-340) Erieye

;Saab 340B AEW-300 / S 100D Argus

:(ASC-890) Erieye

;B.K.1

:({{langx|th|บ.ก.๑}}) Royal Thai Armed Forces designation for the Saab 340 AEW&C.{{Cite web |title=Thai Military Aircraft Designations |url=https://designation-systems.net/non-us/thailand.html |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=designation-systems.net}}

Operators

File:Saab 340 Argus VBY.jpg Saab 340 Argus]]

File:SAAB 340AEW of the Royal Thai Air Force at Khon Kaen (11348690443).jpg Saab 340 AEW&C]]

File:Saab 2000 Erieye.jpg Saab 2000 AEW&C]]

;Current

;{{SWE}}

Swedish Air Force operates two aircraft (2 S100D / ASC890).{{cite web|url=https://www.forsvarsmakten.se/sv/information-och-fakta/materiel-och-teknik/luft/s-100-d/|language=sv|access-date=2022-02-25|title=S 100 D}} SAAB GlobalEye was ordered as replacements in June 2022.{{cite web | url=https://www.fmv.se/aktuellt--press/aktuella-handelser/fmv-bestaller-tva-globaleye-till-forsvarsmakten/ | title=FMV beställer två GlobalEye till Försvarsmakten }}

;{{THA}}

Royal Thai Air Force operates two aircraft delivered completely in October 2012.[http://www.gripen.com/en/MediaRelations/News/2008/080211_th_signing.htm Gripen International] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100204052428/http://www.gripen.com/en/MediaRelations/News/2008/080211_th_signing.htm |date=2010-02-04 }} Gripen agreement between Sweden and Thailand signed.{{cite web|url=http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/thailand-buying-jas-39-gripens-awacs-04022/|title=Thailand Buying JAS-39 Gripens, AWACS|access-date=2011-01-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110214121609/http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/thailand-buying-jas-39-gripens-awacs-04022/|archive-date=2011-02-14|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.altair.com.pl/start-6539|title=Gripeny operacyjne w Tajlandii - Altair Agencja Lotnicza|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715215545/http://www.altair.com.pl/start-6539|archivedate=2011-07-15}}

;{{POL}}

Polish Air Force - Purchased two used (ex-UAE) Saab 340 AEW early warning and control aircraft in July 2023, with deliveries planned to start in 2024.[https://www.saab.com/newsroom/press-releases/2023/saab-receives-order-for-airborne-early-warning-aircraft-from-poland saab.com] - Saab receives order for airborne early warning aircraft from Poland (25 July 2023){{Cite web |title=Poland signs for Saab 340 AEW&C aircraft |url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/poland-signs-for-saab-340-aewc-aircraft |access-date=2023-07-27 |website=Janes.com |language=en}} The first plane was delivered in March 2024.{{cite web | url=https://zbiam.pl/pierwszy-saab-340-z-radarem-erieye-juz-w-polsce/ | title=Pierwszy Saab 340 z radarem Erieye już w Polsce | date=6 March 2024 }} The second aircraft was delivered in June 2024.{{cite web | url=https://www.janes.com/osint-insights/defence-news/defence/poland-receives-second-saab-340-aewc-aircraft-from-sweden | title=Poland receives second Saab 340 AEW&C aircraft from Sweden | date=2024-06-12 }}

;Former operators

;{{GRE}}

Hellenic Air Force formerly loaned two aircraft.{{Cite web|url=http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/s100b_argus/|title = S100B Argus Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) Aircraft}}{{Unreliable source?|reason=domain on WP:BLACKLIST|date=June 2016}}

;{{UAE}}

United Arab Emirates Air Force - 2 operated.{{cite web|url=http://feed.ne.cision.com/wpyfs/00/00/00/00/00/10/09/0E/wkr0011.pdf|title=Saab signs contract with United Arab Emirates for airborne surveillance system|access-date=2011-01-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303234357/http://feed.ne.cision.com/wpyfs/00/00/00/00/00/10/09/0E/wkr0011.pdf|archive-date=2016-03-03|url-status=live}} Retired in 2020 after replacement by GlobalEye (Bombardier 6000).{{cite magazine |last=Allport |first=Dave |title=Saab AEW&C aircraft return to Sweden |magazine=Air International |date=February 2021 |volume=100 |issue=2 |page=13 |issn=0306-5634}}

;Future Operators

;{{UKR}}

Ukrainian Air Force - 2 pledged by Sweden.{{cite web | url=https://www.government.se/press-releases/2024/05/military-support-package-16-to-ukraine--new-capability-to-strengthen-ukraines-air-defence-and-support-to-meet-its-prioritised-needs/ | title= Military Package 16 to Ukraine | website=government.se | date= 29 May 2024}}

=Saab 2000 AEW&C operators=

In December 1988, Saab decided to build a stretched derivative of its Saab 340, called Saab 2000.

;{{PAK}}

Pakistan Air Force operates 9 aircraft.{{cite web|url=http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/sweden-finalizes-saab-2000-aewc-contract-with-pakistan-02377//|title=Aerial Eyes: Pakistans New AWACS Fleets|access-date=2016-03-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131072153/http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/sweden-finalizes-saab-2000-aewc-contract-with-pakistan-02377/|archive-date=2016-01-31|url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Pakistan Air Force receives AEW&C radar equipment from Saab |url=https://www.airforce-technology.com/news/pakistan-aewc-radar-equipment-saab/ |website=Air Force Technology |accessdate=16 April 2019 |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20190416183956/https://www.airforce-technology.com/news/pakistan-aewc-radar-equipment-saab/ |archivedate=16 April 2019 |date=16 April 2019 |url-status=live }}

;{{SAU}}

Royal Saudi Air Force operates 2 aircraft.

Specifications (Saab 340 AEW&C)

{{Aircraft specs

|ref={{cite web|url=http://www.x-plane.org/home/urf/aviation/text/100argus.html|title=Saab 340 AEW|last=Fredriksson|first=Urban|date=2004-06-07|accessdate=21 October 2011|location=Sweden|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111020152729/http://www.x-plane.org/home/urf/aviation/text/100argus.html|archive-date=20 October 2011|url-status=live}}

|prime units? = met

|crew=6

|length m=20.57

|length ft=67

|length in=6

|span m=21.44

|span ft=70

|span in=4

|height m=6.97

|height ft=22

|height in=10

|empty weight kg=10300

|empty weight note={{cite web|url=http://www.forsvarsmakten.se/sv/information-och-fakta/materiel-och-teknik/luft/s-100-d/|title=S 100 D|last=Försvarsmakten|access-date=2015-04-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150325175907/http://www.forsvarsmakten.se/sv/information-och-fakta/materiel-och-teknik/luft/s-100-d/|archive-date=2015-03-25|url-status=live}}|empty weight lb=22707

|gross weight kg=13155

|gross weight lb=29000

|eng1 number=2

|eng1 name=General Electric CT7-9B

|eng1 hp=1870

|endurance=5+ hours

|ceiling m=7,620

|ceiling ft=25,000

}}