GlobalEye Surveillance Aircraft

Full Specifications

Saab GlobalEye Airborne Surveillance Aircraft

The Saab GlobalEye is a next-generation airborne early warning and surveillance aircraft designed to deliver persistent situational awareness across air, maritime, and ground domains. Built to meet the demands of modern network-centric warfare, GlobalEye integrates multiple sensor suites on a long-range business jet platform, offering exceptional endurance and coverage for strategic and tactical operations.

Manufacturer and Origin

Developed by Saab of Sweden, GlobalEye is based on the Bombardier Global 6000/6500 airframe, a proven long-range platform known for reliability and high-altitude performance. The aircraft entered service in the late 2010s and has since gained attention from air forces seeking a multi-domain intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) solution.

Capabilities and Technology

At the core of GlobalEye is Saab’s Erieye Extended Range (ER) AESA radar, mounted atop the fuselage. The radar provides 360-degree air surveillance with detection ranges exceeding 450 km, capable of tracking fast jets, cruise missiles, and low-observable targets. In addition to AEW&C, GlobalEye incorporates maritime surface search radar, electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensors, electronic intelligence (ELINT), and signals intelligence (SIGINT) systems.

The aircraft can operate at high altitudes for extended durations, enabling wide-area coverage with fewer platforms. Data fusion and secure datalinks allow GlobalEye to act as a command-and-control node, sharing real-time intelligence with fighters, naval assets, and ground forces.

Operational Use

GlobalEye is designed for homeland defense, airspace control, maritime patrol, and joint-force coordination. Its long range and endurance make it suitable for both continental-scale surveillance and expeditionary deployments, aligning well with U.S. and allied operational concepts.

GlobalEye Surveillance Aircraft Price

Pricing varies by configuration and support package, but the estimated unit cost of the Saab GlobalEye Airborne Surveillance Aircraft is in the high hundreds of millions of U.S. dollars, reflecting its advanced sensors and mission systems.