Saab prepares to launch flight testing on Sweden’s first GlobalEye airborne early warning jet

The aircraft is undergoing testing and verification ahead of its first flight and subsequent delivery to the Swedish air force.

Swedish airframer Saab is preparing to begin flight testing on the first GlobalEye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) jet destined for the Swedish air force (SAF).

Saab revealed the nearly complete aircraft on 15 October, saying the modified Bombardier Global 6500 is now undergoing testing and verification ahead of its first flight and subsequent delivery to the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV).

“The presentation of Sweden’s first GlobalEye marks an important milestone for both Saab and the Swedish armed forces,” says Saab chief executive Micael Johansson. “As the programme progresses towards delivery, GlobalEye will provide Sweden with a powerful capability for airborne surveillance and situational awareness.”

Stockholm has placed an order for three GlobalEyes, becoming the second customer for the Saab AEW&C jet after the UAE. Five GlobalEyes have already been delivered to the launch customer. The FMV signed a contract for two jets in 2022, adding a third in 2024.

A photo of the lead Swedish aircraft shows it will carry the tail number 061 in SAF service. The aircraft has already received a full paint job, including the subdued “three crowns” roundel of Sweden’s air force.

Each GlobalEye is equipped with an array of active and passive sensors that provide long-range detection and identification of objects in the air, at sea and over land. The most powerful – and obvious – of these is the dorsal-mounted Erieye Extended Range, which is also built by Saab.

Standard Global 6500s are modified by Saab in Linkoping, Sweden, over a 48-month process that includes mounting the distinctive ‘ski-box’ radome atop the aircraft’s fuselage and installing other military mission systems. Driven by strong global demand, Saab says it is looking to ramp-up output to four aircraft per year by 2030.

Saab has floated the prospect of creating a second GlobalEye production line in Canada to support that country’s prospective fielding of the AEW&C jet, which is still being fleshed out.

In addition to the UAE, Sweden and Canada, Saab has secured commitments for the GlobalEye from the Netherlands (1), France (2) and an undisclosed Middle East customer (2). A multinational coalition of 11 NATO member states is also funding the acquisition of up to 10 GlobalEyes to replace the fleet of alliance-owned Boeing E-3 Sentry jets.

Those partners include Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Romania and Sweden.

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