Northrop touts HALE UAV capabilities to NATO members
Northrop Grumman has revealed it is in “active dialogue” with
two potential European NATO customers for the company's
family of high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) unmanned
air vehicles (UAVs).
two potential European NATO customers for the company's
family of high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) unmanned
air vehicles (UAVs).
The firm is on contract to deliver five RQ-4 Global Hawks to NATO
under the Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) programme,
and is now in discussions with some individual nations –
namely the UK and Norway – to help shape their
requirements for a high-altitude surveillance system.
under the Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) programme,
and is now in discussions with some individual nations –
namely the UK and Norway – to help shape their
requirements for a high-altitude surveillance system.
Fifteen nations are currently involved in the AGS development,
although all 28 NATO members will benefit from the use of the
five systems - based out of Sigonella air force base in Sicily -
when required. As a result, they will be exposed to the
surveillance platform and the potential it has to meet sovereign
requirements. Flight testing will begin next year while initial
operational capability for AGS is expected in 2017.
although all 28 NATO members will benefit from the use of the
five systems - based out of Sigonella air force base in Sicily -
when required. As a result, they will be exposed to the
surveillance platform and the potential it has to meet sovereign
requirements. Flight testing will begin next year while initial
operational capability for AGS is expected in 2017.
“This is not going to suit every nation,” says Andrew Tyler, chief
executive of Northrop Grumman UK and Europe. “But I see NATO
AGS as a stepping stone for a lot of them.”
executive of Northrop Grumman UK and Europe. “But I see NATO
AGS as a stepping stone for a lot of them.”
Northrop Grumman
Tyler says there are no official programmes of record for HALE
UAVs in the UK or Norway. However, the nations' relatively healthy
defence budgets and the scope of land they have to monitor
makes having this capability appealing. In addition, both nations
were exposed to the system when a Global Hawk flew during
NATO's Unified Vision exercise in Norway in May, during which
the aircraft flew in UK airspace.
UAVs in the UK or Norway. However, the nations' relatively healthy
defence budgets and the scope of land they have to monitor
makes having this capability appealing. In addition, both nations
were exposed to the system when a Global Hawk flew during
NATO's Unified Vision exercise in Norway in May, during which
the aircraft flew in UK airspace.
“In our estimations they both have a latent requirement for [HALE
UAVs],” Tyler says.
UAVs],” Tyler says.
The UK has a maritime patrol capability gap following the
retirement of its BAE Systems Nimrod MRA4 programme
in 2011. It is expected London will commit to the acquisition
of a new capability when its next Strategic Defence and
Security Review is released in May 2015, although it is
unclear in what guise this will appear.
retirement of its BAE Systems Nimrod MRA4 programme
in 2011. It is expected London will commit to the acquisition
of a new capability when its next Strategic Defence and
Security Review is released in May 2015, although it is
unclear in what guise this will appear.
It is assumed the UK would desire the Boeing P-8 Poseidon
maritime patrol aircraft, although whether or not it will commit to
the high cost of the acquisition is uncertain.
maritime patrol aircraft, although whether or not it will commit to
the high cost of the acquisition is uncertain.
Another option would be to acquire a mix of P-8s and the MQ-4C
Triton – a maritime UAV derived from the Global Hawk –
to meet the requirement. This is a combination both the US Navy
and Australia have committed to.
Triton – a maritime UAV derived from the Global Hawk –
to meet the requirement. This is a combination both the US Navy
and Australia have committed to.
Northrop acknowledges that Germany – which is heavily involved
in the AGS programme – also has a requirement for a sovereign
HALE capability. The company was contracted to deliver
a tailored variant of the Global Hawk – the Euro Hawk –
to Germany, but the programme was not extended past
the first phase.
in the AGS programme – also has a requirement for a sovereign
HALE capability. The company was contracted to deliver
a tailored variant of the Global Hawk – the Euro Hawk –
to Germany, but the programme was not extended past
the first phase.
The Euro Hawk was also caught up in a political scandal that
resulted in Germany’s then-defence minister leaving his position
over issues including high budgets.
resulted in Germany’s then-defence minister leaving his position
over issues including high budgets.
However, Northrop claims the programme – which produced a
Euro Hawk aircraft that is currently in Germany – could still be
revitalised. The company says it is in dialogue with the country
to help define what it could want from the development in the
future.
Euro Hawk aircraft that is currently in Germany – could still be
revitalised. The company says it is in dialogue with the country
to help define what it could want from the development in the
future.
“The German government still has a requirement,” Tyler says.
“Discussions are fast moving at the moment. We left it in a good
state.”
“Discussions are fast moving at the moment. We left it in a good
state.”
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