NATO Awards Contracts To Study Future Surveillance

The organization’s fleet of Boeing E-3As surveillance aircraft is set to retire in 2035.

Thursday, March 31, 2022 at 02:39 PM ET

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NATO operates a fleet of Boeing E-3A Airborne Warning & Control System (AWACS) aircraft equipped with long-range radar and passive sensors capable of detecting air and surface contacts over large distances. [Courtesy: NATO]

Key Takeaways:

NATO has awarded three contracts for feasibility studies to develop future surveillance and control capabilities, as its current AWACS fleet is set to retire in 2035.
These contracts, valued at 15.5 million euros each, were awarded to a consortium led by Airbus, the ABILITI Consortium, and General Atomics to analyze technical concepts, feasibility, and risks.
The initiative is a crucial step in preparing for the Alliance's future defense needs, a requirement underscored by current global events.

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A consortium of nine companies led by Airbus has been tapped by NATO to conduct one of three feasibility studies for the alliance’s future surveillance capabilities following the upcoming retirement of NATO’s Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft.

NATO also awarded contracts for risk reduction and feasibility studies to be conducted by the ABILITI Consortium and General Atomics, it said Wednesday.