Saab has introduced a new multi-role airborne surveillance system called GlobalEye, the company announced on 16 February. The system, which combines the Erieye Extended Range (ER) radar and mission system with Bombardier’s Global 6000 jet aircraft, has been ordered by the United Arab Emirates.

GlobalEye is designed to conduct simultaneous surveillance, tracking and long-range detection in land, air and maritime domains from a single platform.

Ground surveillance of moving vehicles can be conducted through long-range, wide-area ground moving target indication (GMTI) radar modes. The Erieye ER radar significantly increases detection and tracking ranges of very small targets - the system can track very low-observable air and sea targets, including ‘stealthy’ aircraft, cruise missiles or submarine periscopes, even in heavy clutter and jamming environments.

The GlobalEye system integrates a suite of sensors, including advanced self-protection equipment and signals intelligence with a command, control and communications system. The jet has an endurance of 11 hours.

Micael Johansson, head of electronic defence systems, Saab, said: ‘With GlobalEye we expand and sharpen our offering, targeting customers looking to maximise their return on investment in extended airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) capabilities as a national asset to benefit their country.

‘GlobalEye is a game changer that delivers a unique swing-role capability for simultaneous air, maritime and ground surveillance in a single solution, with the ability to change role dynamically, while airborne during any mission.’