
NATO Multimedia
AGS: NATO’s remotely piloted surveillance system explained
Publication date
15 Feb 2021 16:48
Filming date
25 Feb 2020
Location
Sigonella Air Base, Italy
Type
EDITED
Format
16:9
Version
Master
Language
English
What can fly at an altitude of more than 18,000 metres for more than 32 hours and gathers intelligence? The NATO AGS “Phoenix” drone, the newest addition to the NATO air fleet.
Synopsis
Five remotely piloted RQ-4D aircraft are part of NATO’s Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) system, which gives commanders a comprehensive picture of the situation on the ground.
The AGS Force has achieved Initial Operating Capability (IOC), marking a major milestone for the programme.
The RQ-4D aircraft represents the state-of-the-art in terms of high-altitude, long-endurance aerial intelligence platforms. With a range of 16,000 kilometres and a ceiling of 18,000 metres, the RQ-4D can stay aloft for more than 32 hours.
Flying from its main operating base - Sigonella Air Force Base near Catania, Italy - the five drones will support NATO operations by monitoring the ground and providing situational awareness, also known as Joint Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, or JISR. This gives decision makers an increased tactical awareness of what’s happening on the ground, in the air and at sea, allowing accurate decision making based on real time shared information.
Five RQ-4D “Phoenix” drones and the associated command and control ground stations make up the AGS system. NATO will operate and maintain the system on behalf of all 30 Allies.
Footage includes shots of RQ-4D aircraft in Sigonella, Italy.
The AGS Force has achieved Initial Operating Capability (IOC), marking a major milestone for the programme.
The RQ-4D aircraft represents the state-of-the-art in terms of high-altitude, long-endurance aerial intelligence platforms. With a range of 16,000 kilometres and a ceiling of 18,000 metres, the RQ-4D can stay aloft for more than 32 hours.
Flying from its main operating base - Sigonella Air Force Base near Catania, Italy - the five drones will support NATO operations by monitoring the ground and providing situational awareness, also known as Joint Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, or JISR. This gives decision makers an increased tactical awareness of what’s happening on the ground, in the air and at sea, allowing accurate decision making based on real time shared information.
Five RQ-4D “Phoenix” drones and the associated command and control ground stations make up the AGS system. NATO will operate and maintain the system on behalf of all 30 Allies.
Footage includes shots of RQ-4D aircraft in Sigonella, Italy.
Transcript
TEXT ON SCREEN
WHAT IS NATO AGS?
ALLIANCE
GROUND
SURVEILLANCE
AGS DRONES SUPPORT NATO MISSIONS WITH LONG-ENDURANCE GROUND SURVEILLANCE
FUSELAGE:
MODIFIED RQ-4D REMOTELY PILOTED AIRCRAFT
ENGINE: AE 3007H TURBOFAN
SENSOR PACKAGE:
STATE-OF-THE ART SYNTHETIC APERTURE RADAR FOR IMAGERY AND GROUND MOVING TARGET INDICATOR
NATO AGS CAN COVER MORE THAN
100,000 KM2 IN ONE DAY
THAT’S THE SIZE OF
ICELAND!
AGS CAN REMAIN AIRBORNE
LONGER THAN STAFFED AIRCRAFT
FLOWN REMOTELY FROM SIGONELLA AIR BASE, ITALY
CONTROLLED BY TWO PILOTS
AND ONE SENSOR OPERATOR
FEEDING INFORMATION TO NATO COMMANDERS
MAX SPEED: 575 KM/H
OPERATIONAL ALTITUDE:
ABOVE 18,000 M
MAX RANGE:
16,000 KM OR 32 HOURS
WITHOUT REFUELLING
THE AGS SYSTEM IS OWNED
BY ALL ALLIES
THEY ALL HAVE ACCESS TO BOTH DATA AND REPORTS
STRENGTHENING NATO’S CAPACITY TO GATHER AND SHARE INTELLIGENCE
WHAT IS NATO AGS?
ALLIANCE
GROUND
SURVEILLANCE
AGS DRONES SUPPORT NATO MISSIONS WITH LONG-ENDURANCE GROUND SURVEILLANCE
FUSELAGE:
MODIFIED RQ-4D REMOTELY PILOTED AIRCRAFT
- 5 M LONG
ENGINE: AE 3007H TURBOFAN
SENSOR PACKAGE:
STATE-OF-THE ART SYNTHETIC APERTURE RADAR FOR IMAGERY AND GROUND MOVING TARGET INDICATOR
NATO AGS CAN COVER MORE THAN
100,000 KM2 IN ONE DAY
THAT’S THE SIZE OF
ICELAND!
AGS CAN REMAIN AIRBORNE
LONGER THAN STAFFED AIRCRAFT
FLOWN REMOTELY FROM SIGONELLA AIR BASE, ITALY
CONTROLLED BY TWO PILOTS
AND ONE SENSOR OPERATOR
FEEDING INFORMATION TO NATO COMMANDERS
MAX SPEED: 575 KM/H
OPERATIONAL ALTITUDE:
ABOVE 18,000 M
MAX RANGE:
16,000 KM OR 32 HOURS
WITHOUT REFUELLING
THE AGS SYSTEM IS OWNED
BY ALL ALLIES
THEY ALL HAVE ACCESS TO BOTH DATA AND REPORTS
STRENGTHENING NATO’S CAPACITY TO GATHER AND SHARE INTELLIGENCE
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Reference
NATO831376
ID
1676