The current airborne radar and combat control system, Awacs (Airborne Warning and Control System), has been used since the late 1970s in purpose-built Boeing aircraft.
It became familiar to a wider public during the Kuwait War, when the plane cruised back and forth over Iraq, monitoring the airspace - but now it is due for a more modern replacement.
It's an old system. The newer systems see more and better, says Huovinen.
Best in war?
Those considered capable of replacing the old Awacs are either Globaleye or its American competitor Wedgetail. The question is which system is best. According to experts, Wedgetail is more powerful. The aircraft used, a modified Boeing, can accommodate a larger crew with more operators, which is considered an advantage in a critical situation. In other words, Wedgetail gives you greater combat control capabilities.
Globaleye, on the other hand, which will be placed in Bombardier aircraft, is said to be “more efficient” and have a longer range, as well as being more flexible in terms of detecting different targets.
Globaleye is used operationally by several countries. The different countries have probably already made an assessment of which system is qualitatively best. And cost is of course an important factor, says Huovinen.
Airplanes are scarce.
Another factor that comes into play is how compatible the system is with the countries' air forces, since the radar system will be combined with fighter jets that will be directed towards different targets.
Compatibility with aircraft is important. Right now there are basically only two really modern fighter jets out there - the Americans' F-35 and our own Gripen. The British have none, and neither do France or Germany. This matters when choosing a system, he says.
It is likely that new satellite systems will in the near future partially replace airborne radar. The US is investing a lot of energy in this.
But we're not quite there yet. For example, a certain density of satellites is required, says Huovinen.
