France, Italy, Spain and the UK have signed a statement of intent to study development of the Airborne System for Target Recognition Identification and Designation (ASTRID), a fourth- generation targeting pod that will build on the Anglo-French JOANNA target pod technology development programme, a deal for which was signed in March 2001. The nations intended to prepare a ASTRID joint user requirements document and negotiate a memorandum of understanding to cover development. Key ASTRID capability requirements will include improved target identification.
Source: Flight International