Spotlight on Bizjet-based Special Mission Aircraft
February 24, 2020![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2020-02/screenshot_2020-02-25_at_14.21.36.png?itok=2I0_09Xt)
Saab GlobalEye
![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2020-02/da00031746_s.jpg?itok=y3if4zqv)
Dassault/Thales Archange
![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/gallery_images/SPECIALMISSION_GulfstreamEC-37B_COMBINED.jpg?itok=h3lmbaAQ)
Gulfstream G550
The G550 was selected as the platform for IAI’s Conformal Airborne Early Warning (CAEW) aircraft, carrying its ELW-2085 AESA radar and supplied to Israel (2), Italy (2) and Singapore (4). IAI has also delivered three sigint-configured G500s to the Israeli Air Force. L3 Technologies is to “crossdeck” the U.S. Air Force’s Compass Call electronic-attack system from the EC-130H (14 aircraft) to the G550 CAEW-based EC-37B and the U.S. Navy’s new NC-37B range-support aircraft will be based on the CAEW configuration. L3 will also modify up to five G550s for Australia’s Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Electronic Warfare program. Northrop Grumman is proposing the G550 for the U.S. Air Force’s J-Stars Recap, carrying a battlefield-surveillance AESA.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/gallery_images/SPECIALMISSION_Falcon2000MRA_S_DassaultAviation.jpg?itok=rGTVDBX-)
Dassault Falcon
Dassault has developed two special-mission configurations: the Falcon 900 Maritime Patrol Aircraft and Falcon 2000 Maritime Multirole Aircraft —the latter conceived originally to meet a still-delayed French requirement, Avsimar, for 10 aircraft. South Korea in 2017 received two Falcon 2000 sigint aircraft to replace Hawker 800s supplied by Raytheon. The Japan Coast Guard has so far ordered three Falcon 2000s for maritime surveillance, equipped with a mission system developed with L3 and Thales.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/gallery_images/SPECIALMISSION_AffinityPhenom100_AffinityFlyingTrainingServices.jpg?itok=r2XEDL4r)
![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/gallery_images/SPECIALMISSION_TextronEMARSS-1_USArmy.jpg?itok=ecrdcQ1A)
Textron Scorpion
The most popular special-mission platform is a turboprop, the Beechcraft King Air 350ER. ISR versions on offer include L3’s Spyder II and Sierra Nevada Corp.’s Scorpion. The U.S. Army’s MC-12Ws are being modified to the same standard as four Boeing-developed MC-12s.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2020-02/screenshot_2020-02-25_at_14.26.47.png?itok=36Lrfejy)
Embraer/Elta P600 AEW
![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2020-02/screenshot_2020-02-25_at_14.21.36.png?itok=2I0_09Xt)
Saab GlobalEye
![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2020-02/da00031746_s.jpg?itok=y3if4zqv)
Dassault/Thales Archange
![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/gallery_images/SPECIALMISSION_GulfstreamEC-37B_COMBINED.jpg?itok=h3lmbaAQ)
Gulfstream G550
The G550 was selected as the platform for IAI’s Conformal Airborne Early Warning (CAEW) aircraft, carrying its ELW-2085 AESA radar and supplied to Israel (2), Italy (2) and Singapore (4). IAI has also delivered three sigint-configured G500s to the Israeli Air Force. L3 Technologies is to “crossdeck” the U.S. Air Force’s Compass Call electronic-attack system from the EC-130H (14 aircraft) to the G550 CAEW-based EC-37B and the U.S. Navy’s new NC-37B range-support aircraft will be based on the CAEW configuration. L3 will also modify up to five G550s for Australia’s Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Electronic Warfare program. Northrop Grumman is proposing the G550 for the U.S. Air Force’s J-Stars Recap, carrying a battlefield-surveillance AESA.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/gallery_images/SPECIALMISSION_Falcon2000MRA_S_DassaultAviation.jpg?itok=rGTVDBX-)
Dassault Falcon
Dassault has developed two special-mission configurations: the Falcon 900 Maritime Patrol Aircraft and Falcon 2000 Maritime Multirole Aircraft —the latter conceived originally to meet a still-delayed French requirement, Avsimar, for 10 aircraft. South Korea in 2017 received two Falcon 2000 sigint aircraft to replace Hawker 800s supplied by Raytheon. The Japan Coast Guard has so far ordered three Falcon 2000s for maritime surveillance, equipped with a mission system developed with L3 and Thales.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/gallery_images/SPECIALMISSION_AffinityPhenom100_AffinityFlyingTrainingServices.jpg?itok=r2XEDL4r)
![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/gallery_images/SPECIALMISSION_TextronEMARSS-1_USArmy.jpg?itok=ecrdcQ1A)
Textron Scorpion
The most popular special-mission platform is a turboprop, the Beechcraft King Air 350ER. ISR versions on offer include L3’s Spyder II and Sierra Nevada Corp.’s Scorpion. The U.S. Army’s MC-12Ws are being modified to the same standard as four Boeing-developed MC-12s.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2020-02/screenshot_2020-02-25_at_14.26.47.png?itok=36Lrfejy)
Embraer/Elta P600 AEW
![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2020-02/screenshot_2020-02-25_at_14.21.36.png?itok=2I0_09Xt)
Saab GlobalEye
Shrinking electronics, and the size, power and performance of long-range, large-cabin business jets is fueling interest in versions that can cost-effectively perform specialized missions ranging from ground surveillance to maritime patrol.