The Saab 340 AEW&C is an airborne early warning and control aircraft developed by Saab, based on the Saab 340 twin-engine turboprop airliner. It’s best known for its distinctive top-mounted radar dome, which houses the Erieye radar system—a key component that gives the aircraft its surveillance capabilities. Designed primarily for regional airspace monitoring, the system provides all-weather, long-range detection of airborne and maritime targets.

The aircraft itself is relatively compact compared to larger AEW&C platforms like the E-3 Sentry, but it’s well-suited for nations that need strong surveillance capabilities without the cost or logistical footprint of a larger system. The Erieye radar is mounted in a fixed position atop the fuselage, extending over the length of the aircraft like a long canoe, and it uses an active electronically scanned array (AESA) to provide 300-degree coverage. While it doesn’t rotate, the radar’s technology allows it to scan wide sectors rapidly and track numerous targets simultaneously.

Internally, the Saab 340 AEW&C is configured with operator consoles for mission control, and it typically flies with a crew that includes pilots and radar/system operators. Its mission profile includes airspace surveillance, command and control support, and even maritime patrol in some configurations. While it doesn’t carry weapons, it plays a vital role in guiding friendly aircraft during operations and providing situational awareness to ground commanders.

This aircraft has been used by several countries, including Sweden, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates. It’s especially valued for its relatively low operating cost, good reliability, and the solid performance of the Erieye radar system, which has since been adapted to other platforms like the Embraer EMB 145 and the newer GlobalEye system.

Despite being based on a regional airliner, the Saab 340 AEW&C offers strategic utility to smaller air forces, acting as a powerful force multiplier in regional air defense and surveillance networks.