Northrop Grumman has submitted its final proposal for the NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance system, which is meant to provide the alliance with theater-wide, overhead intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance capabilities. “The updated proposal offers an affordable, executable program that will provide an operationally relevant system to the alliance,” said Pat McMahon, Northrop’s sector vice president for battle management and engagement systems. She added, “NATO AGS will be a critical component of the alliance’s response to threats to peace now and in the future.” The system will have an air component based on six RQ-4 Global Hawk Block 40 remotely piloted aircraft equipped with the MP-RTIP advanced electronically scanned array radar to track moving ground targets. It also will include mobile and transportable ground stations and an operations support center at NATO’s main RQ-4 operating base in Sigonella, Italy. The contract award is anticipated in July. (Northrop Grumman release)
The Air Force might want to buy more than the planned 100 B-21 bombers, particularly if the B-52J upgrade doesn't pan out, Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin told the Senate Armed Services Committee.