Janes All Alt-world Aircraft87-88

[simmie]

The requirement for a carrier based AEW, to provide cover for the fleet was borne out the lessons of the Falklands conflict.  When it was announced that it was to be met by the purchase of the Pilatus Britten –Norman Sea Defender AEW Mk.1 was something of a shock to a great number of observers, many of whom had backed the purchase of the Grumman E.2 Hawkeye.

The initial batch of 2 aircraft were ordered in 1984, with delivery being in mid 1985.  These were put through extensive trial with the fleet and proved such a success that a second batch of 10 was ordered in 1986, initial deliveries being to 849 NAS at RNAS Yeovilton.

The aircraft carry the Thorn-EMI Skymaster radar system within the bulbous nose.  This system being developed from the successful Searchwater system used in the RAF Nimrod patrol aircraft.

In the AEW role this long range radar, using Pulse-Doppler processing, can acquire and track automatically large numbers of targets flying at all altitudes against a sea or land background.  For Maritime reconnaissance the operator selects a non-coherent, frequency agile mode of operation, optimising the system for the detection of small surface targets in high sea states out to the radar horizon.

The STOL capabilities of the Defender airframe enable the easy operation off the flight deck of H.M.S Queen Elizabeth (R07) as well as forward unprepared strips.  In the air, the aircraft's low radar cross section aids it's survivability in modern air combat.

The first 2 aircraft were delivered as Mk.1's, with subsequent deliveries being to the Mk.1A standard.  They are fitted with a second console to increase the operational flexibility and the ability to handle the targeting role.  An air-to-Air and Air-to-ground datalink (JTIDS), ESM, IFF and navigation equipment are fully integrated with the radar display and control system.  The initial deliveries will be brought up to this standard when the 2nd batch is complete.

Future developments will include a border surveillance role, with the radar optimised for the detection of moving targets at long range.  A synthetic aperture mode will provide high resolution mapping video, which will be linked to provide ground commanders with an all-weather real-time display showing enemy dispositions and movements.  This is proving the of great interest to the British Army, with further orders a possibility being actively considered.

Performance (AEW Sea Defender at 3629 Kg; 8000lb T-O weight. A ISA; B ISA+23C):
Max rate of climb at S/L: A         320 m (1050 ft)/min
B               305 m (1000 ft)/min
T-O to 15 m (50 ft): A            404 m (1325 ft)
B               436 m (1430 ft)
Landing from 15 m (50 ft):A         381 m (1250 ft)
B               402 m (1320 ft)
Endurance with max fuel, no reserves      6 h 30 min

[Zen]

Err check its ceiling out, I think its an unpressurised cabin, height is rather important for AEW. I suspect its not much better than a helicopter.

Thats what favoured the HS125 and the Brough P.139, they could go high enough to give good coverage for the radar.

[simmie]

yes it is an unpressuriesd aircraft, as is the sea king aew currently in use, it also uses the same/similar radar system.

Thats not the point!
The point is that this is what we would be able to afford at that time.

The Gannets die early during the first wave of defence cuts under Thatcher in 1979

The Blackburn was sacrifised during the defence cuts of the late 1960's in order that CVA-01 gets built, it was part of the horde tadeing in this alternatte world.

[Zen]

Err I don't know your alternate world.

Blackburn? Do you mean the Buccaneer?

[simmie]

You don't know my alternate history as I haven't finished it yet.

The Blackburn is the P.139B.

And I have checked the ceiling of the Pilatu Britten-Norman Defender, it tops out at 7670m or 25000ft in old money.  The AEW Defender is based upon the Turbo Islander.  Use the excess heat of the radar system and give the crew oxygen masks, no worries!!