NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organization

Download high resolution image

NATO operates a fleet of E-3 Airborne Warning & Control System (AWACS) aircraft, which provide the Alliance with an immediately available airborne command and control capability, air and maritime surveillance and battlespace management functions. NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany, is home to 17 Boeing E-3A aircraft.

Download high resolution image

The NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force (NAEW&CF) is one of the military assets that is owned and operated by NATO. To date, it is the Alliance's largest common-funded project and is an example of what NATO member countries can achieve by pooling resources and working together in a multinational environment.

Download high resolution image

The AWACS play a unique and valuable role for the Alliance by conducting a broad range of missions. Its principal role is air surveillance. In recent years, AWACS increasingly have been deployed on complex and tactical missions, including air-to-air, air-to-sea and air-to-ground control, airspace management, air policing, combat search and rescue and threat warning.

Download high resolution image

AWACS have been called on to support a wide range of operations and missions such as after the terror attacks of 11 September 2001 when AWACS were deployed to the US, in Afghanistan (in support of ISAF), in the Mediterranean in support of NATO's maritime counter-terrorism operation and in Libya (Operation Unified Protector).

Download high resolution image

AWACS provide also security support to important events like NATO Summits, head of state visits throughout Europe, 2006 world-cup soccer championship in Germany and 2004 Summer Olympics in Greece.

Download high resolution image

This aircraft can fly over 10 hours without refueling at 30,000 feet (9,150 metres). At this altitude, a single E-3A can continuously survey the airspace within a radius of 400 kilometres and exchange information with ground- and sea-based commanders. The antennas for the radar systems are found in the rotodome that is carried atop the AWACS. This structure rotates every ten seconds, providing 360-degree surveillance coverage.

Download high resolution image

Thirty multinational aircrews from 16 of NATO's 28 nations are assigned to the Component's three operational E-3A squadrons and one Trainer and Cargo Aircraft squadron.