The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) boosted its capability to detect and track aerial threats as it marked the achievement of Full Operational Capability (FOC) status by its Gulfstream 550 airborne early-warning (AEW) aircraft on April 13, 2012.

“The G550-AEWs, together with the RSAF’s fighter squadrons and ground-based air defence units are a powerful network that represents a quantum jump in the SAF’s (Singapore Armed Forces’) ability to identify potential aerial threats early and respond decisively, in peace or in war,” said Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen when he officiated at the FOC ceremony at Tengah Air Base.

Platforms such as the G550 AEW aircraft are critical to the defence of a small nation such as Singapore, as they eliminate the risks of surprise from the air and provide the ability to detect, identify and track aerial threats 24x7, said Dr Ng.

Flying faster, higher, longer and seeing farther than the E-2C Hawkeye which it replaces, the G550-AEW can stay in flight for nine hours and climb to 41,000 feet (approximately 12,000 metres), compared to the six hours of endurance and a maximum altitude of 35,000 feet of the older E-2C Hawkeye.

One of the most advanced AEW platforms in the world, each G550-AEW has a detection range of more than 200 nautical miles (370 km). For self-protection, the G550-AEW can detect incoming threats, and is equipped with a chaff and flare dispensing system to thwart attempts to down the aircraft.

“The G550-AEW aircraft is definitely more capable...and it allows us to contribute more to the national air defence network,” said Major Toh Su Sin, an Air Warfare Officer (AWO) with 111 Sqn.

After taking delivery of the first G550-AEW aircraft in February 2009, the pilots, AWOs and logisticians of 111 Sqn began training and working towards optimising the G550-AEW aircraft to achieve the SAF’s mission.