TIPS Offers Unusual Mixed Fleet Solution to NATO Surveillance Need
By 2010, European NATO countries plan to have an airborne ground
surveillance system (AGS) similar to the Northrop Grumman E-8C
(and forthcoming E-10A) operated by the U.S. Air Force. A leading
contender for that valuable contract is available for inspection
at Le Bourget this week, presented by TIPS Industries on the Northrop
Grumman booth (A428/431).
TIPS is the Transatlantic Industrial Proposed Solution, a consortium
of U.S. and European companies comprising EADS, Galileo Avionica,
Northrop Grumman ISS International and Thales. Their aim is to
provide the military surveillance capability envisioned by heads
of state and government at the recent Prague Summit: in brief,
a single ground picture available to all NATO and national decision
makers.
As expected, TIPS employs a converted jet transport as its main
platform-in this case an Airbus A321 carrying an active electronically-scanned-array
radar. What is unique to the consortium's approach is its employment
of a supporting unmanned air vehicle, the HALE (High-Altitude
Long-Endurance). HALE complements the A321's wide-area detection
capability by providing small-area focus at high resolution and
supplying gap coverage for areas that may be temporarily obscured.
Further advantages of the UAV include the option for extended
reconnaissance and surveillance missions and time-sensitive targeting
for attack aircraft. HALE could also extend communications beyond
line-of-sight and give close-look capability without endangering
a manned aircraft.
In all, TIPS offers industrial participation to 19 nations and
the option of making all technology available for national re-use
to maximize the benefits of investment. The lead companies bring
their past experience as prime contractors of surveillance programs,
including the U.S. MR-RTIP and European SOSTAR radar ventures.
