[ansel12]

I was trying to get someone to elaborate on Ukraine getting the Airborne Surveillance and Control aircraft (ASC 890) in this exchange, can you make sense of it?

https://freerepublic.com/focus/news/4241233/posts?page=72#72

[PIF]

Ukraine Getting Swedish Airborne Early Warning Radar Planes Is A Big Deal

The Saab airborne early warning and control capability will provide a massive, force-multiplying boost to Ukrainian air and maritime defense.
https://www.twz.com/news-features/ukraine-getting-swedish-airborne-early-warning-radar-planes-is-a-big-deal

[FtrPilot]

The article that PIF posted at https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/4219673/posts?page=2701#2701 provides an excellent synopsis of the capabilities of the Saab 340 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft.

Eventually, after Ukraine gets F-16s, Gripens, and more western SAM systems (Patriot, NASAMs, and IRIS-Ts), the Saab 340 aircraft will be able to "Link-16" them together in an Integrated Air Defense System (IADS).

Unknowns:

~When will the Saab 340s be delivered?
~How automated is the IADS?
~What is the learning curve for aircrews (Pilots, console operators, mission commanders, etc)?
~What is the learning curve for maintenance personnel?

My guess is a fully functional IADS is at least a year or two away.

Saab 340s vectoring F-16s against cruise missiles and Shaheed drones could occur shortly after the Saab 340s and F-16s are delivered.