Northrop Grumman has supplied data on Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS) derivatives to the USAir Force programme office as part of a revised proposal to sell the system to NATO for the Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) project.
The next NATO Conference of National Armament Directors, scheduled for April, is expected to revisit the AGS requirement, which has been stalled since the Alliance rejected the US offer of Boeing 707-based E-8 Joint STARS aircraft.
Northrop Grumman has completed a study into the technical feasibility of installing in a large business jet or Airbus A320-family aircraft the active-array sensor it is developing under the Joint STARS radar technology insertion programme (RTIP).
The repackaged system would be similar to that being offered to the UK for its Airborne Stand-Off Radar (ASTOR) requirement. This involves installing a scaled-down version of the RTIP sensor in a Gulfstream V business jet.
A decision on ASTOR is possible by April, allowing the UK Government to offer the winning system to NATO. ASTOR bidders Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and RaytheonSystems have been asked to provide priced options for an additional 10 aircraft that would be sold on to NATO. Best and final offers were submitted to the UK Ministry of Defence in early February.
The USAF, meanwhile, has issued a request for information on re-engining options for its E-8s. A previous study conducted by Northrop Grumman recommended re-engining with Pratt & Whitney TF33s (military JT8Ds) removed from Lockheed C-141s as they are retired. There are no funds for re-engining, however, so the air force is seeking "innovative" proposals from industry, including leasing and by-the-hour deals.
Source: Flight International
