NATO Global Hawk concludes test flight

NATO's first Global Hawk has conducted its first test flight at Edwards Air Force Base, California.

The Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) UAV is intended for NATO ISR missions such as border and maritime surveillance, humanitarian assistance and support of NATO troops. "NATO AGS's successful initial flight kicks off the program's flight test program and represents Northrop Grumman's commitment to advanced airworthy systems for the Alliance," stated Rob Sheehan, Northrop Grumman's NATO AGS deputy program manager.

NATO is buying five Global Hawks plus European-produced mobile ground stations, with the first delivery slated for 2016. The UAVs will be based at Sigonella, Italy, where the U.S. Air Force already bases its Global Hawks. The NATO version will be equipped with the advanced Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program (MP-RTIP) radar.

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