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Saab Global

4 ways airborne early warning & control can make a difference

2 min read

An Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) system makes it possible to discover things sooner, which gives more time to act and prevent damage before it happens.  And it’s not just about military applications, there are countless others. Did you know about these four?

 

An AEW&C system is an airborne solution equipped with radar and other sensors and command and control functionality. It is designed to detect aircraft, ships and vehicles at long distances. It is also used to provide information to other units, and for command and control.

1 Preventing drug smuggling

Keeping track of what’s coming in and out of the country is key. AEW&C keeps track of vehicles and vessels in the air, at sea and on land. In Latin America, the very presence of AEW&C aircraft is known to help prevent crime. For example, smugglers have changed their behaviour, avoiding areas where they know AEW&C solutions are used.

2 Preventing harm of natural resources

Deforestation and illegal mining are examples of illegal activities harming our planet and undermining national economies. AEW&C gives a view from above and can direct the relevant authorities to the right place quickly.

3 Search and rescue in emergencies

What if the worst happens to a ship far out at sea, beyond the horizon, or an emergency takes place in inaccessible terrain? How do you know where to send the help, and how do you coordinate it? With AEW&C, it is possible to detect where the help is required and ensure all units, be they helicopters or ships, have the information they need to perform their tasks.

4 Protecting economic zones

Keeping track of movements over vast areas out at sea is a challenge. Illegal fishing can negatively impact a country’s national economy, as seen in parts of Asia Pacific. AEW&C can be used to detect vessels far out at sea, thus giving nations the means to detect and prevent illegal fishing, and to protect economic zones.