NATO AGS Aircraft

II programme. Meanwhile, US approval has been granted for Indonesia’s acquisition of 30 AIM-9X-2 Sidewinder Block IIs, the $47 million deal to include 20 captive air training missiles, two tactical missile guidance units, two guidance units and two dummy air training missiles.

NATO’s first Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) aircraft was unveiled on 4 June, this unmanned aircraft based on the Northrop Grumman Block 40 Global Hawk, which will advance the Alliance’s evolving ISR needs covering a full range of NATO’s missions. “This marks a significant step forward in achieving NATO’s goal of acquiring NATO-owned and operated AGS core capability,” stated Erling Wang, Chairman of the NATO AGS Management Organisation (NAGSMO). With an ability to fly for upto 30 hours, the high-altitude long-endurance system is equipped with the Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Programme (MR-RTIP) sensor.

A $ 1.7 billion contract had been signed with Northrop Grumman in May 2012 for the AGS system, which comprises five air vehicles and fixed, mobile and transportable ground stations. The main operating base for the type will be Sigonella Air Base, Italy. The system is expected to achieve IOC by the end of 2017, led by Northrop Grumman the industrial team includes Airbus Defence and Space (Germany), Selex ES (Italy) and Kongsberg (Norway), as well as leading defence companies from participating countries (Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and the United States.)