- February 16, 2021, 12:12 PM
The NATO AGS Force’s fleet of five RQ-4D Phoenixes formed a backdrop for the IOC declaration ceremony. (Photo: Lt Col Christian Traeger/SHAPE)
NATO’s fleet of five Northrop Grumman RQ-4D Phoenix high-altitude long-endurance remotely piloted aircraft (HALE RPAs) are ready to begin initial operations. The announcement was made on February 15 by NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), General Tod Wolters, at the organization’s SHAPE headquarters in Mons, Belgium.
“The declaration of Initial Operational Capability is an important milestone for NATO’s Alliance Ground Surveillance [AGS] Force and for the alliance as a whole,” said Major General Phillip Stewart, SHAPE Strategic Employment Directorate Commander. “This unique, multinational capability, paired with a team of Allied specialists who process, evaluate, and distribute intelligence, provides NATO decision-makers with timely and relevant information.”
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. (AFNS) A team at
Hanscom Air Force Base recently closed down their branch after providing NATO with an advanced radar capable of delivering high-quality imagery for combat operations. Members of the Aerial Surveillance Radars Branch delivered the Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program, or MP-RTIP, radar to the NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance Management Agency in November 2019. After supplying NATO with the MP-RTIP radars throughout 2019, the team spent 2020 providing sustainment support to NATO, repurposing spare parts to other branches in the division, and closing out all remaining contracts. With no additional contracts to support, division officials were able to shut down the branch in December 2020.
Hanscom AFB branch provides radars to NATO, completes mission > Air Mobility Command > Article Display af.mil - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from af.mil Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Hanscom AFB branch provides radars to NATO, completes mission > Air Force Reserve Command > News af.mil - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from af.mil Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.