OVERVIEW: The L‑188A Electra (ELINT Mod) is a tactical ELINT platform adapted from civilian L‑188A turboprop transport aircraft. Modified in 1991 by the Argentine Naval Aviation, It was converted for signals interception and intelligence collection, supporting maritime and coastal surveillance over the South Atlantic.

DETAILS: Originally built in the late 1950s, one Electra (serial 0793/6‑P‑104) was acquired in 1983 and converted into an ELINT aircraft at Argentina’s Taller Aeronaval Central with Israeli and local assistance. In September 1991, the aircraft was formally delivered with the IAI SIGINT‑240 system, including EL/L‑8300 receivers, housed within six onboard operator stations. It maintains four Allison 501‑D13 turboprops, cruises around Mach 0.50 (approx. 300 kt). The conversion added multiple under‑fuselage and wing antennae, an auxiliary APU, and reduced its service ceiling to ~24,000 ft due to structural modifications and increased fuel consumption.

“L‑188A” identifies the civilian series, while the Argentine “ELINT Mod” specifies the tactical electronics retrofit. With six operator workstations, oxygen system upgrades, fire suppression enhancements, and ELTA EL/L‑8300 gear, it functioned exclusively for radar signal interception.

TYPE: Tactical Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Aircraft

FUNCTION: Employed for maritime and border radar surveillance, electronic order-of-battle mapping, and tactical ELINT missions within Argentina’s maritime zones. Enhancing maritime domain awareness and support naval intelligence operations in the South Atlantic.

NOTE:
IOC: 1991 (ELINT Mod)
Manufacturer: Lockheed; retrofit by IAI/Aerotest RIDA and Taller Aeronaval Central (Argentina)
Operators: Argentine Naval Aviation (one aircraft)
Conflict used in: Diry War (1983), Falklands War (Transport) (1982), preserved at Museo de la Aviación Naval

SOURCE:
Amigos Museo Av. Naval: https://elmuan.blogspot.com/p/nuestros-aviones.html ; Arqueologia Aeronautica: https://arqueologiaaeronautica.blogspot.com/2014/03/ ; Wikipedia L‑188 Electra: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_L-188_Electra