LUXEMBOURG – NATO's
Supreme Allied Commander, General Tod Wolters, has declared the NATO AGS RQ-4D
remotely piloted aircraft initially operationally ready to conduct missions.
This is a major milestone for the programme, which will substantially increase
the Alliance's awareness, indications and warnings of what is happening around
its borders.
"In November, we announced the arrival of the final NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance
aircraft in Sigonella (Italy), a significant milestone towards improved sensing
of the environment" said Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Wolters
NATO's AGS system will
provide a unique state-of-the-art capability for all 30 Alliance Members, with
a platform adapted to meet NATO's Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance
requirements. This will provide NATO decision-makers with valuable information
based on a comprehensive picture of conditions on the ground, at any time.
The AGS capability
enables the Alliance to perform persistent surveillance over wide areas from
high-altitude long-endurance aircraft, operating at considerable distances and
in any weather or light condition. Using advanced radar sensors, these systems
will continuously detect and track moving objects and will provide radar
imagery of areas of interest and stationary objects. All 30 NATO Allies will
have access to the intelligence they generate.