CNN Show new Israeli spy plane

CNN spy plane video

I am not sure what Israel hopes to achieve by showing off its latest spy plane, but it seems that this aircraft, to get a good look at iran is going to have to fly over Iraq, otherwise how on earth will it get high enough to get a good view ?

Any how, if your at work and cannot watch the video, I took a few screen grabs.







It sure as heck looks well equipped, and i was wondering if that canoe type fairing on the sides is some type of ballistic missile warning radar perhaps ?

[edit on 10-7-2008 by Dan Tanna]

Looks interesting but I have to admit I was hoping for some super futuristic looking black project when I read the title.

9 news

Nice pic !

Israel's advanced Eitam spy plane flies over the Jewish State July 10, 2008. The Eitam, which is equipped with sophisticated intelligence-gathering systems, is built on the Gulfstream G550 platform and has the capability to spy on Iran. The first Eitam was delivered to the Israeli Air Force in February 2007. (Israel Aerospace Industries, Getty Images)

very nice indeed. Seems like israel really does want to keep a real close eye on Iran 24 / 7.

Still am puzzled at how its going to peak into Iran if its high above Israel.

It does look cool but actually resembles a private jet that some hollywood punk would use to travel a half mile down the road to mammys for a cup of tea.

reply to post by altered_states


That's because it's built on the same platform as a private jet that some hollywood punk would use to travel a half mile down the road to mammys for a cup of tea.

My bet is that it is an ELINT and AEW/C aircraft. I can't watch the video at the moment. Probably AESA -- might be capable of ballistic missile warning, but I'm not sure.
Looking forward to watching the video. Thanks Dan.

[edit on 10-7-2008 by _Del_]

Thats exactly what it is del.

They don't need SR71s because they have a very extensive spy network already in place on the ground in Iran.

This aircraft would most probably jam Iranian communications.It's just an ordinary ECM aircraft,in my opinion.Israel has satellites that actually do a vastly better job than this Gulfstream.

I don't know what will happen to the 30,000 Jews living in Iran,if warfare between Israel and the Persians should ever occur.

My guess is that there will be not any war.Iranians are doing all of this ruckus just in order to augment their already astonishing PROFIT coming from its OIL revenues...in other words...GREED.

Bush and G.O.P's contributors aren't really upset with this situation,since they are getting richer by the minute!!

BRAZILIAN JEW

I agree it looks like some kind of AEW & C aircraft for their missile defense network. Gulfstream-based with some kind of big planar array radar mounted in the fuselage bulges.

reply to post by xmotex


I'm guessing it is "SLAR"; Side Looking Airborn Radar. Used on SR-71s and U-2/TR-1s for years. You don't need to fly over the target, just be high enough to see it from the border.

Just a thought...

That makes sense to me - just an AAW version of a SLAR.

Interestingly, it's worth considering whether such a system would be capable of both roles - surface search & air search out to the horizon, and ballistic missile detection just over the horizon.

The Israelis have a reputation for very advanced domestic avionics, I am sure it's within their capability.

Originally posted by Anonymous ATS
reply to post by xmotex

 

I'm guessing it is "SLAR"; Side Looking Airborn Radar. Used on SR-71s and U-2/TR-1s for years. You don't need to fly over the target, just be high enough to see it from the border.

Just a thought...

My thoughts, exactly, when I saw it.

Though assuming it is a planar array (or collection of planar arrays), it could operate very similar to the AEGIS radars on our surface ships.... which would be an infinitely useful tool.

I'm sure it's resemblance to a private aircraft is no coincidence, either. It would make sense - the radar signature would be very similar to any normal private jet, and it would look very similar to a private jet. Would make it very easy to perform passive surveillance without attracting any sort of attention. And at any time, you could go active and scan someone, leaving them going "Son of a.... they caught us!"

Which is the reason the U.S. invests in "spy planes" even in a world of satellite reconnaissance - you can predict satellites and track them very easily - you know when to hide. Now.... with a combination of aircraft and satellites - you can restrict their times of operation using satellites - then buzz them with an unexpected aircraft when your satellites aren't overhead.

Originally posted by altered_states
It does look cool but actually resembles a private jet that some hollywood punk would use to travel a half mile down the road to mammys for a cup of tea.

A.S.....you're killin me!!!!

I'm fairly certain it's based on a commercial Gulfstream.

A proven airframe package with the high altitude and long range to make it nearly perfect for this kind of mission.

I think that by going public, they hope Iran will think twice about launching at them. They are flexing their muscles for the press a bit, that's all.

Yes, this plane will be in the sky, monitoring things for them, in my opinion.

As for overflying Iraq, don't we own the sky over there.

An Israeli spy plane would surly get a US fighter escort and AWAC's updates if it did have to fly over Iraq, don't you think??

Great catch DT!

reply to post by xmotex


Did a little research. It's a G550 -- the bet is that it will be more economical than a 707 or similar platform. It's will focus on AEW/C with some ELINT ability alongside the SEMA already in service which focuses on EW/ELINT. Both aircraft are built on the G550 so the commonality should decrease/ease the operating costs.
Here's a pic of the two side by side:
img88.imageshack.us...

[edit on 11-7-2008 by _Del_]

reply to post by Aim64C


The G550 is a great platform for this mission. It flies at high altitude, it's efficient as can be, and has great loiter time.

Because I'm too lazy to read, I went and found this video:

www.patricksaviation.com...

It's three minutes long and it's an Israeli made promotional video.

_Del_ thats a pimp pic! Awesome, thank you for the link.

Looks beautiful and very capable indeed.

Originally posted by Zaphod58
reply to post by Aim64C

 

The G550 is a great platform for this mission. It flies at high altitude, it's efficient as can be, and has great loiter time.

I never would of thiught of adapting a civilian type for such a mission. I suppose though that if it has all the loiter / endurance capabilities they need, why not ? looks far more comfortable that a U2 !