BeirutDude
Posts: 2625
Joined: 4/27/2013 From: Jacksonville, FL, USA Status: offline
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My understanding is the AEW aircraft have gotten beyond having to have a rotating sensor and not having moving parts = less maintenance and less prone to breakdown. I suspect you're giving up sensing forward and aft, with only broadside beams. the New Boeing 737 AEW aircraft have a similar configuration and Turkey is buying them. Seems like the E-2, E-3, A-50U breed of AEW aircraft are less in vogue for smaller powers. I personally suspect you won't see the USAF/USN, Russian Air Force or PLAAF totally go this route (but bet they pick up some) because it limits 360 degree surveillance, but if your threat axis is limited the fixed sensors are a way to go. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_737_AEW%26C
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"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem." PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN, 1985 I was Navy, but Assigned TAD to the 24th MAU Hq in Beirut. By far the finest period of my service!
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