EL/M-2075 Phalcon
| Company type | Military radar system |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace, Defense |
| Founded | 1989 |
| Founder | Israel Aerospace Industries, Elta Electronics Industries |
| Products | Airborne early warning and control radar system |
| Parent | Israel Aerospace Industries |
The EL/M-2075 Phalcon represents an advanced airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) radar system featuring an active electronically scanned array design, developed collaboratively by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Elta Electronics Industries of Israel. Its chief function is to deliver critical intelligence for securing air superiority and executing comprehensive surveillance. This system has been subsequently replaced by more modern versions, specifically the EL/W-2085 and the EL/W-2090.
Design and features
Designed as a solid-state L-band conformal array radar, the EL/M-2075 is intended for integration into aircraft such as the Boeing 707 among others. Branded as Phalcon, this full AEW mission package facilitates airborne early warning, tactical air and surface target monitoring, intelligence collection, and command and control integration. The radar comprises six phased-array panels strategically positioned: two on each side of the fuselage, one housed in an enlarged nosecone, and one located beneath the tail section. Each panel contains 768 liquid-cooled, solid-state transmit/receive elements calibrated in both phase and amplitude. These elements are grouped into modules connected to transmit/receive units managed through time division multiplexing across the arrays. In the Chilean Boeing 707 variant, side fairings approximately 12 × 2 meters in size were mounted on floating supports to mitigate airframe flexing that could compromise radar precision. The arrays cover designated azimuth sectors that collectively achieve full 360° surveillance with electronic scanning capabilities in both azimuth and elevation axes. Available radar modes include high PRF search with full tracking, track-while-scan operations, slow scan detection optimized for hovering or low-speed helicopters via rotor blade reflections, as well as low PRF detection tailored for maritime targets.
Distinct from AEW&C platforms equipped with rotating radomes, Phalcon employs an AESA active phased array radar system. This configuration utilizes numerous transmit/receive (T/R) modules allowing electronic beam steering without the necessity of a mechanical rotodome. AESA radars operate across pseudorandom frequency bands with rapid scan cycles, significantly enhancing their resistance to jamming and detection attempts. The system is capable of simultaneously tracking up to 100 targets at distances reaching 200 nautical miles (370 kilometers), while concurrently directing more than a dozen air-to-air intercepts or air-to-ground strikes. Installation options include mounting the radar arrays directly on the aircraft fuselage or within a compact dome atop the airframe; both setups deliver complete 360-degree coverage. Target position updates occur every 2 to 4 seconds—substantially quicker than the 20 to 40-second intervals typical of traditional rotodome AWACS platforms.
Platforms
The Phalcon radar system is adaptable for installation on multiple aircraft types, including models from the Boeing 707, Boeing 767, and Boeing 747 families. Following a contract awarded in 1989 by Chile, the initial system was installed on a former LanChile Boeing 707, which conducted its maiden flight in 1993. By May 1994, this platform was officially delivered to the Chilean Air Force, where it was designated Condor.
Operational history
In the mid-1990s, the Israeli Air Force outfitted its Boeing 707 fleet with the Phalcon system as a replacement for its retired E-2C aircraft.
Current users
- Israeli Air Force: Maintains 2 units currently operational, enhanced by the advanced multi-frequency EL/W-2085 system.
Previous users
- Chilean Air Force: Utilized a single Boeing 707 equipped with Phalcon radar, which was succeeded by E-3D Sentry aircraft as of 2022.