Northrop Grumman Offers Joint-STARS Radar to Europe

Northrop Grumman is aggressively promoting European sales of its Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform, derived from E-8C Joint-STARS technology.

Relaxation of restrictions on access to USAF E-8C "RTIP" radar technology, and the planned availability of Global Hawk unmanned surveillance aircraft, in support of military operations and crisis situations in Europe, is opening up some of the most advanced U.S. surveillance technologies to European participation.

So far Northrop Grumman has secured cooperation with Belgium, Luxemburg, Norway, Denmark and Canada-all participants in NATO's Transatlantic Advanced Radar Project-NATAR-which is scheduled to fly in 2005. However, the major European powers are still reluctant to embrace this program while they consider independent developments.

To promote its selection, Northrop Grumman is interested in tie-ins with European programs such as the French SOSTAR-X radar, and with Airbus, before a formal European Ground Surveillance Radar program is established.

According to company officials, European partners could share a substantial part of the program, if they choose to participate early in the design phase.

Joint-STARS became a valuable force multiplier for allied forces operations in Kosovo, where the airborne radars monitored the combat zone, spotted force movements, conducted battle damage assessments, and in certain cases, conducted complete operations in conditions that prevented other platforms from monitoring the ground situation.

With the proven importance of this platform, the European Alliance is considering establishment of an intelligence and surveillance unit of six aircraft that can rapidly respond to crisis situations. These aircraft will monitor and distribute a common operational ground picture to all participating nations and be interoperable with NATO and national assets such as the Euro Hawk derivative of the Global Hawk, the French Horizon heliborne radar, or the UK's ASTOR.

Northrop Grumman would like to see its radar installed on an Airbus A321, a platform that combines large payload capability with long range and endurance. The proposed configuration includes a spacious primary mission area for eight systems operators, a mission conference area with workstations, projection display and broadband satellite communications link, and a crew rest area. The main equipment area would be located in a separate zone, isolated from the crew compartment, for improved cooling and noise reduction. The proposed configuration allows for considerable weight and volume growth.