US approves G550 special mission equipment for Italy

Israeli Air Force photo

US approves G550 special mission equipment for Italy

by Gareth Jennings

The US government has approved the sale to Italy of special mission kits for Gulfstream G550 aircraft, valued at an estimated USD500 million.

The US is to provide Italy with special mission kits for two G550 aircraft that, externally at least, will be similar in appearance to the G550 CAEW which it previously acquired from IAI in Israel. (IAI)

Announced on 15 December, the State Department approval covers the procurement and integration of two Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Electronic Warfare (AISREW) mission systems onto a pair of G550 aircraft to be provided by the Italian Ministry of Defence (MoD).

“The proposed sale supports and complements the ongoing efforts of Italy to modernise its airborne intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare capability and increases interoperability between the US Air Force and the Italian Air Force,” the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said.

As noted in the DSCA’s approval notification, the two AISREW systems will comprise four Multifunctional Information Distribution Systems – Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS JTRS) (two installed, two spares); three embedded/GPS/INS (EGI) with GPS security devices, airborne (two installed, one spare); and four RIO communications intelligence systems (two installed, two spares).

Also included are missile warning sensors, AN/ALE-47 countermeasure dispenser sets (CMDS), MX-20HD electro-optical /infrared systems, Osprey 50 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars, AISREW intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) equipment, secure communications equipment, identification friend or foe systems, aircraft modification and integration, ground systems for data processing and crew training, ground support equipment, publications and technical data, US Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, flight test and certification, and other related elements of logistical and programme support.

Gulfstream G-550 AEW: HERE