IAI Introduces New Maritime Patrol Aircraft

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has unveiled a maritime patrol aircraft, dubbed ELI-3360 based on the Bombardier Global 5000 business jet. 

Avishai Izhakian, deputy general manager of IAI's Elta Systems airborne systems and radars division said, "there are negotiations with some potential customers for the new system, which incorporates the company’s ELM-2022 maritime search radar and an electro-optical/infrared sensor."

Other mission equipment includes an ELL-8385 electronic support measures/electronic intelligence suite, electronic warfare and self-protection equipment and a comprehensive communications fit comprising radios, datalinks and satellite communications.

An integrated multi-mission command and control suite will include operator workstations and a weapon and stores management system for under-wing stores that could include torpedoes and anti-ship missiles for anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare tasks.

Izhakian says the ELI-3360’s capabilities are intended to replace those offered by aged types such as the Lockheed Martin P-3.

Referring to the anti-submarine warfare mission, he notes: “The new platform enables an operator to reach the suspected area very fast and then use sonobuoys that are dropped into the water or a magnetic anomaly detection system carried on the aircraft.”

“The new business-jet based MPA, in concert with unmanned air systems and shore-based systems will provide unmatched maritime domain superiority for the benefit of our customers,” Elta president and IAI executive vice-president Nissim Hadas said.

IAI’s special mission aircraft range already includes airborne early warning and control and signals intelligence variants of the Gulfstream G550.