Leonardo-Finmeccanica’s Sage Electronic Support Measures (ESM) system has become operational on the Indonesian Air Force’s (IAF) CN-235 Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA).

PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) and Integrated Surveillance and Defense (ISD) led the modification programme in the US.

Sage, which is a digital sensor for aircraft, is used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.

Installed and integrated with the aircraft’s tactical mission system, Sage has the capability to identify the location of radio frequency (RF) emitters such as surface-to-air missile fire-control radars.

The first CN-235 was modified this year followed by airborne flight testing.

Leonardo is working with ISD and PTDI to deliver the capability to the IAF, which will operate the Sage system in the maritime environment.

"Sage, which is a digital sensor for aircraft, is used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions."

Sage is part of Leonardo’s electronic warfare product portfolio that includes individual sensors as well as fully integrated defensive aid suites.

Offering a dedicated electronic warfare operational support (EWOS) facility, it improves the effectiveness of all EW products.

Sage was demonstrated on the Leonardo Helicopters SW4-Solo Optionally-Piloted helicopter and the Schiebel S-100 CamCopter UAS last month during the UK Royal Navy’s Unmanned Warrior exercise that was conducted in Scotland.


Image: The Indonesian Air Force’s (IAF) CN-235 Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) Photo: courtesy of Leonardo-Finmeccanica – Società per azioni.