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AGS: NATO’s remotely piloted surveillance system explained

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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.

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

  1. 5 M LONG
WINGSPAN: 39.8 M

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