IAI / Gulfstream G550 Airborne Early Warning
Israel Aerospace Industries / Gulfstream Aerospace · Israel · first flew 2006 · transport aircraft
The IAI G550 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft is a conversion of the Gulfstream G550 large business jet by Israel Aerospace Industries, integrating the EL/W-2085 multi-mission radar system within a distinctive dorsal fairing to provide airborne surveillance and battle management capability at long range.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turbofan, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Rear-fuselage-mounted engines and T-tail |
| T — Tail | T-tail |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- G550 business jet modified with large dorsal AEW radar array
- Rear-fuselage-mounted engines and T-tail
- Distinctive IAI Phalcon or EL/W-2085 radar fairing above fuselage
Recognisable by the large conformal radar array or rotodome-style fairing along the upper fuselage, paired with the slim low-wing G550 business jet body and twin rear-mounted engines.
Specifications
- The IAI / Gulfstream G550 Airborne Early Warning has a length of 29.39 m (96 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 28.5 m (94 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 956 km/h (594 mph).
- Typical crew: 4–16.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
IAI developed the G550 AEW&C as a compact alternative to larger AEW platforms such as the E-3 Sentry, delivering the first aircraft to the Israeli Air Force and subsequently to Italy and Singapore. The system exploits the G550's high cruise altitude and long range to maximise radar coverage.
Variants
Customer-specific configurations vary; Israel operates the G550 CAEW, Singapore the G550 AEW, and Italy the G550 CAEW — all share the same basic platform but differ in sensors and mission systems.
Where you'll see it
Operated by the Israeli Air Force, the Italian Air Force, and the Republic of Singapore Air Force as front-line AEW&C assets.
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- Boeing 747 Large Cargo Freighter (Dreamlifter)
- Dreamlifter (747-400LCF)
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- A330 MRTT Voyager
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