[snip]
Carrying the Northrop-Raytheon “MP-RTIP” sensor for ground-looking synthetic aperture radar imaging and ground-moving target indication (GMTI), the unmanned air vehicle offers similar capabilities to the Northrop E-8C “JSTARS,” but without an onboard battle management function.
NATO once considered buying its own JSTARS aircraft, but decades of indecision resulted in it opting for the Global Hawk-based option back in 2012.
Based on the RQ-4 Block 40 operated by the US Air Force, the NATO version adds maritime modes and a transportable ground control and intelligence-gathering segment produced by European industrial partners such as Airbus, Kongsberg and Selex ES.
Fifteen nations are contributing to the acquisition, with America providing about 40% of the cost.
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