NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS)

The NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance system will expand NATO's joint intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability.

unmanned military aircraft flying in the sky

Program Overview

The NATO owned and operated RQ-4D Phoenix is a high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) unmanned aircraft system (UAS), providing full-spectrum intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) operations for the Alliance. This unique aircraft is the first large HALE aircraft to meet the rigorous airworthiness requirements for a military type certification (MTC) approved by the Italian Directorate of Aeronautical Armaments and Airworthiness (DAAA). The Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) system provides persistent wide-area terrestrial and maritime surveillance delivering data to commanders protecting ground troops and civilians, providing humanitarian and disaster relief, and conducting counter-terrorism and border watch missions during peacetime.

The RQ-4D Phoenix is based on the United States Air Force RQ-4 Block 40, enhanced to meet specific NATO AGS Forces interoperability and communications requirements. Acquired by 15 NATO allies, it will share intelligence with all 32 NATO nations. Built to specific Alliance requirements, designed to provide persistent, vital intelligence-gathering capabilities supporting the mission to deter, protect and defend global security.

The AGS core provides unprecedented near real-time airborne ground surveillance and situational awareness information throughout the full range of operations for NATO and its Allies. A system of systems, the AGS core consists of air, ground, mission operations and support elements, performing all-weather, persistent wide-area terrestrial and maritime surveillance, day or night.