ILA 2012 : NATO Makes Changes to Configuration of AGS Global Hawks

NATO has added several key systems to its Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) as a result of lessons learnt in Operation Unified Protector over Libya, it has been revealed.

The Link 16 airborne data link, and Saturn secure radios are being fitted to the aircraft while an Automatic Identification System for shipping is being added offering the potential for the aircraft to be used in the anti-piracy mission, according to officials from the programme, speaking at the ILA Airshow in Berlin. The additions follow the launch of the long-talked about AGS programme during the NATO Summit in Chicago in May.

The AGS programme sees 13 member states involved in the acquisition of the system while 26 nations will participate in the missions and support.

The five RQ-4 Global Hawk Block 40s being purchased will be the third fleet of aircraft owned and operated by NATO, following on from the E-3A Sentry Component at Geilenkirchen in Germany and the three C-17s for the Heavy Airlift Wing at Papa AB in Hungary. The five aircraft will be operated from NAS Sigonella in Sicily, which will act as the main operating base for the type.

As a result, the aircraft will receive Italian military certification and fly under the Italian flag in the same way the E-3s fly under the Luxembourg flag. The first delivery will take place in September 2015 while the rest will follow some six months later with full operational capability expected in 2017.