NATO AGS

Abstract

U.S. participation in NATO AGS was ratified by SECDEF signature of the NATO AGS Program Memorandum of Understanding (PMOU) in June 2009. The PMOU went into effect in Sept 2009. As the alliance implements this new core capability for critically short support to airborne surveillance, this program will mitigate requests for US forces to support these demands. The NATO AGS Program includes an air segment consisting of Global Hawk Block 40 Air vehicle, using elements of the BAMS command and control architecture and the MP-RTIP radar; a ground segment for data exploitation and distribution; establishment and operation of a management organization; development of operations and support concepts; and definition and establishment of an initial support capability. The program, managed by NATO AGS Management Agency (NAGSMA), is composed of: design, development and demonstration, as well as initial in-service support (IISS). The AGS system will be a NATO-owned and operated airborne ground surveillance capability that provides continuous, wide area surveillance information in all weather conditions for use at the strategic, operational and tactical levels of command. Interoperable with other national assets, AGS will provide NATO decision makers with near real time, continuous information and situational awareness concerning friendly, neutral, and opposing ground forces to support mission planning and execution to include force protection and targeting. The NATO Staff Requirements (NSR), serving as the basis for the AGS acquisition was approved in 1997. After a series of studies, including options for a mixed fleet composed of manned and unmanned platforms, a decision was reached to pursue the acquisition of a UAV-only capability based on a Global Hawk (GH) Block 40 equipped with the US Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program (MP-RTIP) sensor. The AGS system will include six (6) NATO-developed, ground-based aircraft control equipment, and fixed and deployable data exploitation elements. This acquisition will be a direct commercial sale from Northrop Grumman International Systems Sector Inc. (NGISSI). In September 2009, fifteen nations, including the US, signed the PMOU financially committing each participant to the procurement and delivery to the war fighter of the NATO Commander’s number one priority. Denmark withdrew from the program in December 2010. The Request for Proposal (RFP) was issued to NGISSII, Melbourne, the prime contractor in the consortia composed of NG Systems Corp. (USA), EADS (DEU), GDC (CAN), and GAV Selex (ITA). Upon delivery the NATO AGS fleet will operate from its Main Operating Base (MOB) at Sigonella Italy. This funding is the U.S. cost share for the acquisition of the NATO airborne ground surveillance capability as well as the cost share associated with the IISS. In-Service Support (ISS) will be contracted under separate action. It is anticipated that ISS costs will be commonly funded, using the NATO Security Investment Program (NSIP). This funding also includes developmental activity for MP-RTIP to include additional functionally and security requirements, studies and analysis supporting current and future program planning and project execution and engineering and program management support to NATO. In FY12, OSD transfers the NATO AGS project funding to the USAF for management and execution. The NATO AGS project funded the US share of the cost for NATO to acquire an air-to-ground ground surveillance capability and the US support of NATO activities. Operations and continuing support will be funded through a future NATO Military Commanders' Capability Package funded within the NATO Security Investment Program (NSIP).

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Document Type: Project
Publication Date: Oct 01, 2013
Source ID: 676001_0305220F_7_3600_PB_2013

NATO AGS

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