NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Program Management Organization
The NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Program Management Organization (NAPMO) is an organization supported by 15 NATO member states that is responsible for the planning, implementation and administration of the NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Program (NAEW & C ) responsible for. It reports directly to the North Atlantic Council, which has its seat at NATO headquarters in Brussels.
→ This article contains numerous abbreviations that are written out and explained in the Abbreviations section .
assignment
As part of NATO, the NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Program Management Organization is carrying out the mandate to procure , equip and operate a fleet of 17 Boeing E-3A (also NATO E-3A or NE-3A). The aircraft are equipped with the location and guidance system AWACS .
In addition, the organization should guarantee the interoperability, i.e. the smoothest possible cooperation, of the airborne early warning and surveillance systems with NATO ground radar structures . To this end, the North Atlantic Council endowed NAPMO and its executive agency, the NATO AEW & C Program Management Agency (NAPMA, analogously “NATO Authority for the Management of the Airborne Early Warning System”), with extensive powers.
history
Around 1975, the three NATO Commanders in Chief ( Tri Major NATO Commanders , Tri-MNC) formulated the requirement to be able to detect fast, low-flying combat aircraft with high signature suppression. This was particularly true of the airspace on the border between the NATO countries and the Warsaw Pact countries . The necessary complement to the existing ground radar coverage by additional positioning systems prompted the military leadership of NATO to the conclusion that an airborne early warning (English Airborne Early Warning , AEW) is the key to this extension. For the purpose of carrying out the NATO AEW & C project, 13 NATO countries set up a preliminary planning staff for the program ( NATO AEW & C Program Office , NAPO) at NATO headquarters. Great Britain preferred its own national air surveillance program in 1977 , but agreed to participate in the ground segment of a NATO program.
Planning and construction
The performance profile for the future NAEW&C system primarily required the ability to locate and track penetrating air targets with a small cross-section and high speed, i.e. objects in flight that may be difficult to locate, over long distances. Due to the likely possible areas of application of the AEW aircraft over the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean , the planning staff also required the ability to locate sea targets.
The aircraft and operational systems that NAPO selected to form the NAEW&C units were based on the Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) of the United States Air Force . The mobility and flexibility of such a system, especially with regard to the command systems, should provide the command of the air, sea and land forces with valuable additional information and capabilities. In addition, from the perspective of the NATO planning staff, such an early warning system is a supporting deterrent .
As a result of a declaration of intent ( Multilateral Memorandum of Understanding , MMOU) signed by the defense ministers of 13 NATO countries on December 7, 1978, NATO decided on a procurement program ( Initial NAEW & C Acquisition Program , 1978–1988), which comprised the following elements:
- The procurement of 18 Boeing E-3A, and three to training / transport aircraft (English trainer / Cargo aircraft , TCA) modified passenger aircraft of the type Boeing 707-320C .
- The modernization of 40 radar sites of the NATO Air Defense Ground Environment (NADGE). a NATO ground-based air defense network. which is managed by NAMSA , especially with regard to interoperability with the AWACS aircraft
- Establishing a headquarters for a NAEW&C Force Command
- The establishment of a main operating base (MOB) in Geilenkirchen, Germany, three forward bases (English Forward Operating Base , FOB) in Greece, Italy and Turkey, as well as a forward operating location (FOL) in Norway
- Provide basic logistics, training and personnel as required
The total cost of the procurement program was $ 4.1 billion. On December 8, 1978, the participating nations confirmed the statute of NAPMO.
In addition, the participating countries stipulated that NAPMO holds the ownership of all objects procured in the name and as property of NATO and that it has extensive organizational, administrative and financial independence within NATO.
The participating nations received a guarantee that procurement services from the participating country in the amount of 100 percent of the contribution paid in the form of direct or indirect involvement of the respective national industry were accessed. The main contractor Boeing managed the procurement.
Procurement phase
- Air segment
Boeing delivered 18 NE-3A early warning aircraft between February 1982 and May 1985, making them the property of NATO, which registered the aircraft in Luxembourg. NATO expanded the Initial NAEW & C Acquisition Program to include a software support and crew training facility that could be made available to the E-3A component in Geilenkirchen in 1987. The three Boeing 707 training / transport aircraft (TCAs) had already been delivered in 1984 . The expansion of the program incurred an additional cost of approximately $ 300 million. After the crash of an NE-3A in Greece in July 1996, the NAEW&C program has 20 aircraft (17 NE-3A and 3 TCAs).
- Ground segment
With the supervision of NAMSA, the defense contractors commissioned to complete the ground segment of the NAEW&C program between 1978 and 1988. This mainly consisted of the modernization of the NADGE positions as part of the AEW Ground Integration Segment (AEGIS) and cost more than 350 million US dollars. The basic hardware and software components were developed and tested in California in cooperation with Hughes Aircraft Systems International . Then NATO selected one radar station each in Denmark and Germany for field testing and licensing. After equipping four further positions in Italy, Greece, Norway and Turkey ( AEGIS Initial Operational Capability ), in the last phase of the program all other radar positions along NATO's eastern border, running from Norway to Turkey, and four more were installed Positions upgraded in Great Britain.
- Bases and outposts
The program for the establishment and activation of both the personnel and the main base (MOB), the advanced bases (FOB) and the advanced facility (FOL) were under the control of NAMPA. The main base of the AEW & C fleet in Geilenkirchen, Germany, was partially operational from March 1982 and fully operational from 1985 with a staff of 2,500 military and civilians. The FOB in Konya (Turkey) and in FOL in Ørland (Norway) could be used from 1983. The bases in Trapani (Italy) and Preveza (Greece; renamed in action in 1995 ) were completed in 1986. This part of the program cost $ 160 million.
Modernization programs of the NAEW&C program
- Near-Term Program (1990-2000)
In 1988, the NATO Military Committee formulated the need to upgrade the NE-3A fleet in order to meet the operational requirements in the form of improved communication and surveillance capabilities and to ensure continued effective interoperability with the AEW&C fleets of France, Great Britain and the United States. In 1990 the NAPMO member states introduced a modernization program for the fastest possible effect (English Near-Term Program), the volume of which was 1.1 billion US dollars.
The near-term program comprised the following points:
- Electronic support measures (English Electronic Support Measures ESM)
- Encrypted UHF radio and improved protection of UHF radio against jammers
- NBC protective clothing for the crew
- Replacement of monochrome radar screens with screens with multicolored display technology
- Introduction of the data exchange standard Link 16
- Project to improve the radar system ( Radar System Improvement Project , RSIP): Range increase, improved protection against ECM measures, increased system performance and reliability as well as improved maintainability.
- Mid-Term Program (1997-2008)
After three years of planning, the NAPMO 1997 initiated a medium-term modernization program (English Mid-Term Program ) to view the capabilities of the NE-3A to expand and to be able to meet the demands of the following years. This included a study by the NATO Military Committee from 1994, above all the changes in the geopolitical environment, the ongoing development of the Air Command and Control System (ACCS; a NATO program to replace the old air surveillance and control systems in Europe by 2009), the increasing demands on the monitoring and management capacities of the NE-3As as well as the necessary modernization of various systems to avoid signs of obsolescence. The North Atlantic Council commissioned NAPMO in November 1994 with the implementation of this program, which was to cost an additional 1.6 billion US dollars. This single set combat value increase consisted of nine integrated system improvements as well as the establishment of modern and expandable software structures.
The mid-term program included the following points:
- Improved user interfaces for easier and more intuitive use of the systems
- Networking of all external and internal sensor systems for the complex representation of the environment
- Complement of GPS and inertial navigation systems (INS)
- Improvement of VHF radio and satellite communication
- Replacement and improvement of the friend-foe recognition systems (English identification friend foe , IFF)
- Five more terminals for more effective monitoring and guidance by the crew (previously nine terminals)
The latter should, among other things, enable better support for the NATO reaction force (NRF) and open up expanded leadership capabilities within the framework of the NATO transformation process . The new user interfaces and terminals are based on COTS solutions, which are primarily intended to enable easier operation, maintenance and modernization.
Further program development
In 2001, NAPMA replaced two outdated TCAs with two converted Boeing 707s of the German Air Force .
A project to improve the Airborne Collision Avoidance System (ACAS) and Reduced Vertical Separation Minima systems was approved in 2001 and completed in 2004.
Engine retrofit considerations
There have been protests by the people living in the flight path since the choice of the airport near Geilenkirchen not far from the Dutch border as the main base of the NATO AWACS fleet. A solution to the noise nuisance turned out to be particularly complex, as it is a cross-border problem and the emission limit values applicable to civil aviation are generally not applied in military aviation. Already in 1990 NATO recommended adopting the technical solutions of civil aviation to reduce emissions as far as possible, but it has not yet been able to put this into practice in the NE-3A fleet.
Regardless of the continued participation in the NAEW&C program, the government of the Netherlands has consistently advocated conversion of aircraft engines to NATO in order to protect its population from further noise pollution. According to the Dutch government, emissions of up to 100 decibels are said to have been measured in the affected areas .
Against the background that the NE-3A fleet is expected to be stationed in Geilenkirchen until 2035, NAPMO has been dealing with the subject of engine re-engineering for a number of years and had studies carried out on the financial and logistical feasibility. NATO has not yet initiated a specific program for retrofitting.
Member states
The following countries support the NATO AEW&C program:
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France and Romania participate exclusively as observers. France has its own nationally managed E-3F fleet, which is to remain interoperable with the NATO fleet by participating in the NATO AEW&C program. The United Kingdom has limited participation in NAPMO due to its membership in the Air Defense Ground Sites Integration Project . However, the UK's E-3D fleet is an integral part of NATO's AEW&C forces but is fully funded by the UK.
While Poland and Hungary joined NAPMO after joining NATO in 1999, first as observers and then as full members (Hungary on November 22, 2005 and Poland on December 19, 2006), the Czech Republic pursued its interest in NATO AEW&C program no further.
German participation
Since Germany was a border state to the Warsaw Pact when the program was initiated, the Federal Government attached particular importance to effective surveillance of the airspace at this border. Thus, the financial contribution of the Federal Republic of Germany was set as the second-highest financing share of all countries participating in the program: approximately 27.15%. Germany supported the program with 1.6 billion euros up to 2006.
Due to the changed geopolitical situation and the elimination of the immediate threat to Germany, the amount of the contribution is controversial at the national level. However, with the addition of other countries such as Poland and Hungary it has already decreased in percentage terms.
The high contribution and strong position of Germany on the NAPO planning staff in 1979 enabled negotiations between the United States, Canada and Germany, which resulted in the position of general manager of NAPMA always being handed over to a German officer. To this end, the United States and Canada provide the Chairman of the NAPMO Board of Directors and the Deputy General Manager of NAPMA. In addition, these three states agreed that the command of the NAEW & C Force Command would alternately be handed over to an American or German officer every three years.
organization
The NAPMO is divided into different areas that are responsible for the planning, execution or operational management of the NAEW & C components. Within this organization they are all subordinate to the NAPMO Board of Directors (BOD, German supervisory board ).
Board of Directors
The NAPMO supervisory board is the central control and decision-making body of the organization. The North Atlantic Council has given it extensive powers to enforce the NAEW&C program. This body consists of one representative from each of the 15 participating states. In addition, representatives of NAEW & C Force Command, NAPMA and other NATO agencies such as B. NAMSA ( NATO Maintenance and Supply Agency ) or NACMA ( NATO Air Command and Control System Management Agency ) participate in its meetings without voting rights.
NAPMA and the NAEW & C Force Command are subordinate to the NAPMO BOD. It meets at least twice a year and is supported by two committees: the Policy and Finance (PF) Committee (for legal, contractual, financial and strategic planning) and the Operations, Plans and Logistics (OPL) Committee (for operational, technical and logistical matters). The two committees consist of experts from the participating States. They usually meet a few weeks before the BOD meetings to discuss recommendations for the BOD's decision-making.
The chairman of the board of directors (English Chairman ) reports directly to the North Atlantic Council. This office has been held by Teddy L. Houston since 2007.
NAPMA
The NATO AEW & C Program Management Agency (NAPMA) is the executive agency of NAPMO. It has 133 seconded military officers and civilian personnel from all nations participating in the NAEW&C program. For the most part, NAPMA is represented in Brunssum in the Netherlands at the headquarters of the Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum . Some employees also work at NATO headquarters in Brussels, at Allied Command Operations ( SHAPE ) in Mons, Belgium, in Manching (Germany) as well as in Boston and Seattle (USA). Most of all, the employees in the United States maintain close cooperation with the prime contractor Boeing.
The tasks that NAPMA has received from the NAPMO Supervisory Board include the entire organization and execution of the program, from procurement and commissioning to maintaining the fleet and facilities. Thus, the NAPMA u. a. responsible for the planning and coordination of the procurement strategy as well as for the contract execution in connection with the modernization of the NE-3A fleet.
The NAPMA General Manager (German " General Director ") reports directly to the NAPMO BOD with regard to the ongoing organization of the program and is appointed by the NATO Secretary General, who is supported by a deputy general manager, a legal advisor and an internal auditor. Brigadier General Michael Gschoßmann has been General Manager of NAPMA since January 2019 . The predecessor from March 1, 2013 to the end of December 2018 was Brigadier General Michael Hain. From July 16, 2009 to February 28, 2013 Brigadier General Ludwig Leinhos and before that Brigadier General ret. D. Berndt Glowacki at the helm of the NATO agency.
The organization is also divided into five divisions (in a non-military sense) or departments:
- The Plans and Evaluation Division is responsible for the use of information technology, supporting the NAPMO board of directors, planning and setting up new programs and liaising with external organizations.
- The Project Implementation Division is responsible for the implementation of projects, from development through production to retrofitting, and also ensures the coordination of modernization programs with the military authorities of NATO.
- The Contracting, Logistics and Test Division is responsible for the award of contracts, for services to and integration of the industry, for logistics and configuration management, system test processes and quality assurance.
- The Financial Controller's Office takes on the tasks of financial processing and monitors the contributions of the participating nations, financial planning and the budget, carries out cost analyzes and manages the corresponding financial system as well as accounting and travel activities.
- The Personnel and Administration Office is responsible for all personnel matters as well as for security, transportation and general administrative and secretarial tasks.
NAEW & C Force Command
→ Main article: NAEW & C Force Command
The NAEW & C Force Command (NAEW & C FC) is the military headquarters for commanding the NATO AWACS fleet and is based at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) near Mons in Belgium. The Force Commander (German: "Commander of the forces") reports directly to the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), who holds the overall command over the NAEW & C fleet.
Abbreviations
| abbreviation | meaning | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| AEW | Airborne Early Warning | airborne early warning system |
| AWACS | Airborne Warning and Control System | Airborne early warning and guidance system based on radar |
| FOB | Forward Operating Base | Forward base |
| FOL | Forward operating location | Advanced support facility |
| MOB | Main Operating Base | Main base (Geilenkirchen, Germany) |
| NACMA | NATO Air Command and Control System Management Agency | NATO agency for the management of airborne command and control systems |
| NADGE | NATO Air Defense Ground Environment | NATO ground-based air defense network |
| NAEW & C | NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control | NATO program for an airborne early warning system |
| NAEW & C FC | NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force Command | military headquarters for commanding the NATO AWACS fleet |
| NAMSA | NATO Maintenance and Supply Agency | Logistic service organization for the NATO countries. |
| NAPMA | NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Program Management Agency | executive agency of NAPMO |
| NAPMO | NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Program Management Organization | |
| NAPMO BOD | NAPMO Board of Directors | NAPMO's control and decision-making body |
| NAPO | NATO AEW & C Program Office | Original NATO planning staff for the NAEW&C program |
| NE-3A | NATO E-3A | NATO version of the Boeing E-3 A reconnaissance aircraft |
| TCA | Trainer / Cargo Aircraft | Training / transport aircraft, here based on the Boeing 707-320C |
Remarks
- ↑ The ability of an aircraft or other military equipment to camouflage from enemy tracking systems. This mainly refers to the camouflage against enemy radar, which was improved by the technical development of the shapes and surfaces of combat aircraft during the 1970s and 1980s.
- ↑ The NATO AEW&C project was initially supported by the following 13 countries: Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Great Britain (ground segment only), Italy, Canada, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and the United States.
References
literature
- NATO'S NATI ONS & PARTNERS FOR PEACE: The Reason For Success - 25th anniversary of NATO's AWACS Program. Preprint No. V / 2004. Mönch Verlag, Bonn. ISSN 1566-9009 .
- NATO'S SIXTEEN NATIONS & PARTNERS FOR PEACE: AWACS Takes Off Into the 21st Century. Special Edition 1998. Mönch Verlag, Bonn.
- NATO'S SIXTEEN NATIONS: AWACS: Sensors in the Sky. Special Issue 1995. Mönch Verlag, Bonn.
- NATO'S SIXTEEN NATIONS: Airborne Early Warning and Surveillance in NATO. Special Edition 1990. Mönch Verlag, Bonn.
Web links
- Description of the NAPMO ( Memento of November 10, 2001 in the Internet Archive ) in the NATO Handbook. Chapter 14: Key to Organizations and Agencies and Other Subordinate Bodies - Airborne Early Warning.
- Official website of NAPMA with further information on NAPMO and NAEW & C FC (English)
Individual evidence
- ↑ On the history and the structure of the program: Brig. Gen. Edward von Kospoth: NAPMO - The NATO AWACS Managers. In: NATO'S SIXTEEN NATIONS, Special Edition 1990, p. 4f.
- ↑ Maj. Gen. Gary Winterberger and Patrick McCaffrey: NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control (NAEW & C) Program. ( Memento of March 6, 2005 in the Internet Archive ) . On the SHAPE website, March 2005
- ↑ release no. 6909/08 of 26 February 2008 on the issue of the Dutch delegation to the Council of the European Union. Subject: Noise from military aircraft (AWACS).
- ↑ cf. on this: Interview with the former NAPMA General Manager, Brig. Gen. Lothar wet nurse. In: NATO'S NATIONS & PARTNERS FOR PEACE, Preprint No. V / 2004, p. 19
- ↑ 2006 results report of the Federal Audit Office ( Memento from October 19, 2007 in the Internet Archive ). P. 50. (PDF, 0.5 MB)
- ^ Structure of the NATO AEW & C Program Management Organization on www.napma.nato.int
- ↑ NAPMA website
