The CAEW (Conformal Airborne Early Warning, Italian designation E-550A) aircraft is the most advanced multi-sensor system with air surveillance, command, control, and communications functions in service with European air forces.

The AEW-BM&C (Airborne Early Warning, Battlefield Management & Communication) capability is in fact today an indispensable tool to ensure an adequate extension of the national airspace surveillance capability (Homeland Defence/Security). The heart of the CAEW, obtained by installing the Elta EL/W-2085 electronic scanning radar system on the airframe, integrated with further electronic systems (COMINT, ELINT, ESM, IFF, RWR) to offer high Situational Awareness in real time, at 360° and at long range. The mission system has Maritime Patrol and Battlefield Management capabilities, thanks to its compatibility with the Rover systems of personnel deployed on land or on the sea surface (through the transmission of images, including video, useful for interpreting the environment in which they are operating). With the capacity to embark almost 19 tonnes of fuel, it has the ability to stay on target for long periods of time depending on mission parameters, with absolutely significant maximum flight altitudes and transfer speeds.

It is designed and built in Israel based on the Gulfstream G-550 business jet.