Going modular with airborne radar

Innovative approaches to solving the affordability challenge posed by too many specialist airborne surveillance systems.

Air forces, armies, and navies around the world are only too aware that airborne surveillance is perhaps the most essential element in today's military inventory.

The problem for armed forces that are seeking to invest in new airborne surveillance platforms is a big one: there are plenty of different aircraft and systems available that cover specific mission capabilities, but few of them offer adaptability and mission flexibility. And that means priorities have to be carefully considered when it comes to procurement, with difficult choices having to be made against a backdrop of decreasing affordability.