The Gulfstream G550 Nachshon Eitam is Israel's conformal airborne early warning and control version of the G550 business jet, modified by Israel Aerospace Industries and ELTA with the EL/W-2085 AESA radar and mission systems. Operated by Israeli Air Force 122 Squadron, it provides airborne surveillance, battle management, and command-and-control support for air defense and long-range strike operations, including documented use during Iron Swords and the 2025 Israel-Iran conflict.
IAI said the Shavit, Eitam, and Oron special-mission aircraft maintained high availability and accumulated extensive operational hours during the Iron Swords war, carrying out missions to protect Israeli airspace and preserve ISR superiority.
EDR reported that Nachshon Squadron's Eitam, Shavit, and Oron aircraft were used during Operation Rising Lion to collect strategic intelligence and provide advanced command and control for Israeli air operations.
Role detailsEitam is not a strike aircraft; it is an airborne command, surveillance, and battle-management node built around the EL/W-2085 CAEW mission system. Public sources describe the aircraft as extending radar coverage beyond ground sensors, building an aerial and maritime picture, and sharing real-time intelligence through satellite communications and data links.
Gulfstream G550 business jet adapted for Israeli airborne early warning and control missions.
IAI/ELTA EL/W-2085 conformal AESA radar with IFF, SIGINT, communications, and self-protection systems.
Airspace surveillance, early warning, fighter control, strike-mission command and control, and real-time intelligence sharing.
The Nachshon fleet uses Gulfstream business-jet airframes for separate Israeli intelligence and air-control missions.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nachshon Shavit | Gulfstream-based SIGINT aircraft | IAI describes Shavit as the earlier signals-intelligence member of the Nachshon special-mission fleet. Sources: IAI Oron Background |
| Nachshon Eitam / EL/W-2085 CAEW | Airborne early warning and control aircraft | IAI identifies Eitam as the G550-based CAEW flagship with AESA radar, IFF systems, 360-degree coverage, and command-and-control functions for air battles and strike missions. Sources: IAI Defense Prize |
 | Multi-mission ISTAR aircraft | IAI describes Oron as the newer G550-based aircraft that combines Eitam-style aerial-situation awareness with Shavit-style SIGINT and additional electro-optical and ground-imaging sensors. Sources: IAI Oron Background |
Gulfstream said the G550 was chosen as the platform for Israel's airborne early warning surveillance requirement.
Sources: Gulfstream Special Mission G550
Airforce Technology and Defense Update reported the first Israeli G550 CAEW delivery in February 2008, followed by a second aircraft in May 2008.
Sources: Airforce Technology G550 Squadron, Defense Update CAEW Debut
FlightGlobal described the Israeli Air Force's G550 surveillance fleet, including Eitam airborne-warning aircraft with a multi-sensor suite and six operator stations.
Sources: FlightGlobal G550 Surveillance Fleet
EDR reported that Eitam, Shavit, and Oron aircraft from Nachshon Squadron supported Operation Rising Lion with strategic intelligence collection and advanced command and control.
Sources: EDR Operation Rising Lion
IAI announced that Shavit, Eitam, and Oron received the Israel Defense Prize for their special-mission-aircraft contribution, including high-availability wartime operations during Iron Swords.
Sources: IAI Defense Prize
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