Nato Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS)
Program Overview:
After many years exploring options for a NATO owned and operated airborne ground surveillance capability, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has agreed to a program of record based on the Block 40 Global Hawk high altitude long endurance (HALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) which includes the Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program (MP-RTIP) sensor.
In September 2007, nations recommended not to proceed with the original mixed fleet program of record and agreed to move forward with a UAV-only solution based on an off the shelf Block 40 Global Hawk. In early 2008, Alliance member nations are expected to agree to a Program Memorandum of Understanding governing the program, and an RFP is expected to be issued soon thereafter. Northrop Grumman will be the prime contractor for the NATO AGS program, supported by industries in the 21 participating nations.
Northrop Grumman is the principal manufacturer of today's operational fleet of national manned and unmanned surveillance and command and control aircraft, including the US Joint STARS airborne ground surveillance system, Global Hawk HALE UAV and the MP-RTIP sensor.
Unmanned Fleet
The choice of the Global Hawk equipped with the MP-RTIP sensor for the NATO AGS air segment reflects the basic operational requirements of the AGS program. The performance parameters of the Global Hawk are unmatched, with the ability to fly at altitudes up to 65,000 feet for up to 36 hours at speeds approaching 340 knots, well above airspace occupied by commercial traffic. Moreover, the Global Hawk has the ability to be deployed 2,000 nautical miles from its main operating base with a resulting on-station time exceeding 24 hours, thus ensuring a ready capability for worldwide operations and providing incomparable operational capabilities.
Additionally, the Global Hawk is an operationally proven ground surveillance platform accumulating more than 18,000 flying hours and more than 13,000 hours in operations supporting coalition forces in current theaters of operation. The MP-RTIP sensor provides a low-risk, low-cost approach for NATO.
System Architecture
The system architecture and the configuration of the NATO AGS ground segment is especially developed to accommodate a network centric approach, with emphasis on a local area network design and real-time exchange of data between AGS users. Also, the use of standardization will ensure system interoperability, not only with the NATO C3I systems, but also national ISR systems. Through the AGS ground segment, NATO forces will also have access to nationally acquired reconnaissance and surveillance data.
The unmanned platform configuration and its inherent identification capability and a network centric approach, represents a capability that could perform NATO missions fully independently during peacetime and early crisis. The AGS system will provide real-time data, intelligence, and even target identification to NATO users within and beyond line of sight.
This solution demonstrates a truly transatlantic approach to NATO's requirements and will provide significant work share directly in the program for national industries of participating nations.
Northrop Grumman's Integrated Systems will be the prime contractor for the NATO AGS program which is managed at the sector's Melbourne, Florida facility.
