The Saab 340 AEW&C is a Swedish airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft.
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 which 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.
The mounted radar is capable of tracking ships, planes and missiles up to 300-400 km while at an altitude of 20,000 feet.
Six S 100B Argus aircraft were produced for the Swedish Air Force, four of which are permanently equipped with the Erieye active electronically scanned array (AESA) early warning radar and two 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 are planned to enter service by 2009.
In November 2007, Thailand announced the intention to buy two S 100B AEW aircraft from the Swedish Air Force.
Variants
Saab 340B AEW / S 100B Argus (FSR-890) Erieye, for the Thai Air Force.
