SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Brazilian aerospace major Embraer has confirmed to idrw.org that talks are being held on the sale of more Embraer platforms to be used for the Netra Mk1 AEW&CS Program under which the IAF plans to procure six more platforms for which the company has offered its Praetor 600, a super mid-size business jet which is a smaller jet than the ERJ145 platform that is currently being used on the Netra Mk1 AEW&CS.
Embraer told idrw.org that Praetor 600 offers nearly twice the range and has a higher Service Ceiling of 45,000 ft when compared to 37,000 ft of the ERJ145 platform, which they claim will improve radar performance. The Max Cruise Speed of the Praetor 600 is also slightly better at 0.83 over the ERJ145 platform and due to better fuel carrying capacity, it also has better on-station endurance.
Embraer already has supplied India with three ERJ145 platforms that were used for the development of the Netra Mk1 AEW&CS and IAF was looking to procure 5-6 more of the same platforms for the additional Netra Mk1 AEW&CS program.
DRDO is also working on the development of a Netra Mk2 AEW&CS program that will be based on the Ex-Air Indian Airbus A321 platform that will cover more search and tracking range and 300 ° coverage which is much more than the current 240 ° coverage on the Netra Mk1. IAF plans to operate a fleet of 18 AEW&CS/AWACS.
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