Welcome to NAPMA's Website

On behalf of the allied Nations participating in the NATO Airborne Early Warning & Control (NAEW&C) Programme, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, NAEW&C Force Commander, and the General Manager extend their best wishes.

The Programme is often cited as one of the most successful collaborative ventures ever undertaken by the Alliance. The fleet of NATO E-3A Aircraft (NE-3A) represents the world’s first multi-national, fully integrated Air Force – “NATO’s Air Force”. As a result, an effective system has been deployed, which enhances the ability to counter today’s ever-evolving threats. Additionally, the multi-national character of the NE-3A force provides a highly visible symbol of Alliance cohesion and solidarity

This overview of the Programme reviews its accomplishments to date and looks to the future. We hope you will agree that through the Nations’ collective determination, the NAEW&C Programme represents a very real NATO success story.

Maj Gen S.D. Schmidt Commander NAEW&C Force Command	Mr. Ted Houston Chairman, NAPMO Board of Directors	Brig Gen Ludwig Leinhos  General Manager NAPMA

NATO AIRBORNE EARLY WARNING AND CONTROL PROGRAMME
(Operational Requirement)

In the second half of the 1970s, the requirement to detect high speed combat aircraft, with low level penetration capability, made it necessary to augment NATO’s system of ground-based radars with effective additional means. The NATO military authorities determined that an Airborne Early Warning (AEW) capability would provide the key to meeting the challenge.
The operational requirement for the NATO AEW&C (NAEW&C) system stressed the need to detect small cross-section, high speed intruder aircraft at long range. The capability to detect maritime surface targets was also specified because of the geographical regions in which the AEW aircraft could be required to operate. The aircraft and mission systems selected to form the NAEW&C Force were based on the USAF Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS). The inherent mobility and flexibility of such a system, especially in the control function, were also foreseen by NATO planners as providing air, maritime, and land force commanders with valuable additional capabilities. In short, the creation of a NAEW&C Force was designed to make a significant contribution to the Alliance’s deterrent posture. Implementation of the concept would require a NATO-endorsed Programme and the establishment of a Programme Management Organisation.

NATO AEW&C PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT ORGANISATION
(NAPMO)

In December 1978, a number of NATO Nations joined together to establish the NATO Airborne Early Warning & Control (NAEW&C) Programme. As a result of the international agreements formally ratified at that time, the NAPMO was created as a NATO Production and Logistics Organisation to implement the Programme. NAPMO is a NATO civil organisation established under the provisions of the 1951 Ottawa Agreement, and is directly responsible the North Atlantic Council for all aspects of the NAEW&C Programme. The structure of the NAPMO is shown below.

THE NAPMO BOARD OF DIRECTORS

In its Charter, the NAPMO Board of Directors (BOD) has been granted far-reaching authority and independence in the management of the Programme, particularly in the technical, initial system support, financial and contractual areas. The NAPMO Board consists of one member from each participating Nation. The United Kingdom exercises limited participation as a NAPMO member, based on her participation in the Air Defence Ground Sites Integration Project; but her fleet of E-3D aircraft is an integral part of the NAEW&C Force. France has an observer role, but also maintains continual coordination regarding her national fleet of E-3F aircraft to ensure interoperability.
The BOD meets a minimum of two times per year to review the Programme, resolve major issues, and to provide policy guidance and strategic direction. The two committees (Operations, Plans, and Logistics Committee, and the Policy and Finance Committee), whose composition is similar to that of the BOD, meet a few weeks before each BOD meeting to review items within their specialty spheres of expertise and to provide recommendations to the Board.

• Operations, Plans, and Logistics (OPL) Committee
  
  • The OPL Committee considers and makes recommendations to the BOD on those matters referred to it by the Board. Matters referred to it in the areas of operations, interoperability, technical, logistics, sustainment, configuration, requirement and Industrial Benefits / Industrial Participation as they relate to the NATO AEW&C Programme.
    
  • As a matter of routine, the OPL Committee, within the operations, interoperability,  technical, sustainment, configuration and requirement matters of the NATO AEW&C Programme, considers proposals and statements prepared by the NAPMA prior to the consideration by the BOD; this process ensures that the BOD, when considering its decision, will have the benefit of OPL Committee recommendations.
    
  • In its role as a body of national experts created to advise and assist the BOD, the OPL Committee draws to the attention of the Board such matters as the OPL Committee feels requires action by the BOD.

• Policy and Finance (PF) Committee
  
  • The Policy and Finance (PF) Committee considers and makes recommendations to the BOD on those matters referred to it by the BOD. Matters referred to it in the areas of legal, financial, contractual aspects and strategic planning of the NAEW&C Programme, and administration, personnel, security aspects of the NAEW&C Programme Management Agency (NAPMA), including international agreements, budgets, financial procedures, acquisition strategies, areas of Industrial Participation, business processes, the NAPMA establishment, corporate governance, status and recruitment of NAPMA personnel and related areas.
    
  • As a matter of routine, the PF Committee, within the legal, financial, contracting and strategic planning of the NAEW&C Programme, and administration, personnel and security aspects of NAPMA, considers proposals and statements prepared by the NAPMA prior to their consideration by the BOD; this process ensures that the BOD, when considering its decision, will have the benefit of PF Committee recommendations.
  • In its role as a body of national experts created to advise and assist the BOD, the PF Committee draws to the attention of the Board such matters as the PF Committee feels requires action by the BOD.
    

THE NAEW&C PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT AGENCY

The NAEW&C Programme Management Agency (NAPMA) is the executive agency of the organisation. It is manned by 133 seconded military officers and civilian personnel drawn from all of the Nations participating in the NAEW&C Programme. While most are located in Brunssum, The Netherlands, a small number perform their duties in Brussels (NATO HQ), Mons, Belgium (Allied Commander Operations HQ) Manching, Germany (a retrofit facility), and the United States (Boston). Within the responsibilities and guidance given to NAPMA by the NAPMO Board of Directors, NAPMA manages all aspects of the Programme from acquisition through delivery and on through Life Cycle Sustainment. As such, NAPMA is responsible to plan and coordinate acquisition strategy and to manage contracts associated with modernisation of the NE-3A fleet. The NAPMA General Manager is responsible to the BOD for the day-to-day management of the Programme. He is aided in this task by a Deputy General Manager, a Legal advisor and an Internal Auditor. The Agency is then organised around five other Divisions or Offices:

• The Plans and Evaluation Division is responsible for information technology services, support to the NAPMO BOD, planning and definition of new programmes, and liaison with outside organisations.
• The Project Implementation Division is responsible for implementing projects from the development phase, through production and retrofit, and for ensuring the harmonisation of modernisation projects with the NATO Military Authorities.
• The Contracting, Logistics and Test Division is responsible for contracting, industrial benefits and industrial participation, logistics and configuration management, system test activities and quality assurance.
• The Financial Controller's Office is responsible for the treasury functions and calls to Nations for contributions, financial planning and budgeting, cost analysis and related financial management systems, accounting and travel management.
• The Personnel and Administration Office is responsible for all personnel matters, security, general administrative support services, including transportation, and the registry functions.

THE NAEW&C FORCE COMMAND

The NAEW&C Force was created to provide a multinational and immediately available airborne surveillance, warning and control capability in support of Alliance objectives.  Force Command takes its operational directions from and reports directly to the NATO military command structure, while depending upon NAPMO for NE-3A fleet maintenance, sustainability, and other requirements to support the NATO mission. The post of NAEW&C Force Commander (Major General) alternates between Germany and the United States, while the United Kingdom fills the Deputy Force Commander appointment.
The creation from scratch of what was effectively a new air force meant it was necessary to replicate all the constituents that support a national air force – including a command structure and operating bases. To this end, the NAEW&C Force Command HQ was established in 1980 and co-located with the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), Belgium. Operationally, Force Command has two Components. The Main Operating Base (MOB) for the NATO E-3A Component was established and located at Geilenkirchen, Germany, along with three Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) at Trapani, Italy; Konya, Turkey; Aktion, Greece, and a Forward Operating Location (FOL) at Oerland, Norway. The other part of the NAEW&C Force is the Royal Air Force E-3D Component at Waddington, England. Both Components report to NAEW&C Force Command HQ.

France’s E-3F fleet operates from Avord AB. While France is not part of the NAEW&C Force, it often assists in coordinated operations with Force Command.
Over the years, the NAEW&C Force has been called on to support a wide range of operations. During the 1990s the NAEW&C Force was involved in continuous operations in support of UN Security Council Resolutions around the Former Republic of Yugoslavia. The NE-3A aircraft provided a continuous presence and often played a pivotal role during key operational events. The later crisis in Kosovo witnessed combined operations of the NATO, French, British, and American fleets. After the terror attacks of 11 September 2001, for the first time in its history NATO invoked the “mutual defence” clause spelled out in Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty. Called Operation Eagle Assist, NATO deployed NE-3As to the USA to fly a variety of security support missions.
Both Components of the NAEW&C Force also provide security support to important events like NATO Summits, Heads-of-State visits throughout Europe, and other Selected Major Events. In 2004, twenty-four hour air space security was provided to the Olympics and Paralympics in Greece. The same support was provided for the 2006 Winter Olympics in Italy.

NE-3A
THE NE-3A COMPONENT – GEILENKIRCHEN, GERMANY

The NE-3A Component is one of the two operational elements of the NATO Airborne Early Warning & Control Force. It is NATO’s only operational unit, making it unique in military history. The Component’s mission is to provide aircraft and trained aircrews to deliver a surveillance and/or control platform whenever directed by the NATO Airborne Early Warning & Control Force Commander on behalf of the NATO operational commander, the Supreme Allied Commander, Europe (SACEUR).

The actual build-up of the NE-3A Component started in January 1980; in October 1980 it was granted the status of a NATO International Military Headquarters by the NATO Defence Planning Committee (DPC). Flying operations began in February 1982 after delivery of the first NE-3A aircraft. The Component was officially activated on 28 June 1982 and reached “Full Operational Capability” by the end of 1988.

The Component consists of five main functional areas: the Operations Wing, Logistics Wing, Base Support Wing, Training Wing and Information Technology Wing as well as other normal staff functions. Each of these major units is commanded by a colonel from a variety of NATO Nations. The position of NE-3A Component Commander alternates between a German and American Brigadier General. Overall integrated manning of the Component consists of about 2,500 multinational military and civilian personnel assigned with an additional 450 military and civilian personnel in support functions, like base civil engineering, national support units and morale and welfare activities.

Seventeen NE-3A Aircraft and three Trainer Cargo Aircraft (TCA) are assigned to the Component. Normally, only part number of the NE-3A fleet is at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen at any given time. The remainder deploys to the Component’s Forward Operating Bases and its Forward Operating Location or other Allied airfields. Each of the forward facilities is located on a national installation, although the Component has about thirty personnel at each site. They are NATO personnel assigned to the Component, but all of them are from the respective host Nations.
 
Thirty multinational aircrews from 12 of NATO’s 26 Nations are assigned to the Component’s three operational NE-3A squadrons and one Trainer and Cargo Aircraft squadron. The Training Wing also has a flying squadron, the Aircrew Training Squadron.

THE E-3D COMPONENT – RAF WADDINGTON, UK

Since attaining Initial Operating Capability in July 1992, the NAEW&C Forces E-3D Component has shared the NATO airborne surveillance, warning, and control mission with its sister Component at Geilenkirchen. From its Main Operating Base at Royal Air Force Waddington the E-3D Component’s fleet of seven E-3D aircraft supports NATO missions and provides the United Kingdom with a national capability when necessary. 

Under the day-to-day operational control of the NAEW&C Force Commander, the E-3D Component has made a major contribution to every National, NATO and Coalition Military Campaign since its formation and contributes 25% of the Force’s annual operational output. In controlling air combat assets in coordination with NE-3A aircraft, the E-3Ds have engaged in the conflicts in Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq.

The Component comprises seven E-3D aircraft and appropriate mission support, training, and engineering elements; it maintains an expeditionary capability to respond from a state of high readiness to any operation around the world either as a NAEW&C Force asset, including as an element of the recently-formed NATO Response Force, or as a national contribution to any coalition.

The E-3D variant of the AWACS is operated by a crew of 18, drawn from RAF and exchange personnel; it is configured to meet United Kingdom’s operational requirements, to maintain interoperability with Allied E-3 fleets and to maximise interchangeability with the NE-3A. The most notable differences from the NE-3A are its engine design and a refuelling probe (in addition to the standard receptacle), as depicted below.

E-3D

MAJOR PROGRAMMES

The present NE-3A fleet and its capabilities may be viewed from the perspective of three major inclusive programmes:

• The Initial NAEW&C Acquisition Programme (1978-1988)
• The Near-Term Programme (1990-2000)
• The Mid-Term Programme (1997-2008)

THE INITIAL NAEW&C AQUISITION PROGRAMME (1978-1988)

The Initial Programme approved by the Ministers of Defence of participating Nations in December 1978 consisted of:

• Acquiring 18 NE-3A aircraft and three modified commercial 707 aircraft, for use as Trainer Cargo Aircraft (TCA), as NAPMO assets
• Upgrading 40 NATO Air Defence Ground Environment (NADGE) Radar Sites
• Creating NAEW&C Force Command Headquarters
• Activating a Main Operating Base in Geilenkirchen, Germany, three Forward Operating Bases (Greece, Italy, Turkey) and one Forward Operating Location (Norway)
• Establishing initial logistics, training and personnel support, as required.

The total cost of this Initial Programme amounted to US$ 4.1 Billion; prohibitively expensive for any single Nation, but realisable through the collective resolve of the 13 NAPMO Nations. This massive investment was met from special budgets funded and controlled by the participating Nations and administered by NAPMA.

THE NEAR-TERM PROGRAMME (1990-2000)

By 1988, the NATO Military Command had stated its operational requirements for enhanced communications, surveillance, and computer capabilities in order to update the NE-3A system so that it could retain its operational viability, including inter-operability with the AEW&C fleets of France, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The NAPMO Nations agreed on the need for such an update and the Near-Term Programme was commenced in 1990. The total cost of this upgrade was US$ 1.1 Billion.

THE MID-TERM PROGRAMME (1997-2008)

After three years of planning, the Mid-Term Programme commenced in 1997 to further improve the capabilities of the NE-3A fleet and put it into the conditions to manage the new challenges of the coming years – improving the overall combat capabilities of this force multiplier. This US$1.6 Billion Programme has been treated as a single-block upgrade that consists of nine integrated system enhancements including modern software architecture for future growth.

Originally designed as an elevated radar platform, the NE-3A is evolving to address the realities of geopolitical change and NATO’s new mission. In emphasizing the Control aspect of AEW&C the NE-3A has become an essential part of Air Battle Management.
From the initial buy of 18 NE-3As and three TCAs, as well as upgrades to ground-based radar, through the Near-Term upgrade and on through the Mid-Term further upgrade, NAPMO Nations will have spent / committed, for acquisition and follow-on modernisation, a total of US$ 6.8 Billion.

THE FUTURE

Since the NAEW&C Programme was authorised in 1978, the strategic situation has changed and NATO’s missions have evolved. Responding to changing environments and supporting future NATO operational capabilities will present continuous challenges. Today NATO is moving forward in describing a new and improved method of planning and conducting operations. To support the dynamic NATO transformation process, NAPMO will adopt new business approaches, such as streamlined acquisition, to allow operational capabilities / requirements for the NE-3A fleet to be fielded as soon as possible in supporting the overall operational needs of NATO. 

CONCLUSION

As a result of the unique arrangements under which the NAPMO Nations have agreed to implement the Programme, NATO is the owner of a fleet of technically sophisticated aircraft. No single Nation acts as host to ensure that the NATO E-3A fleet maintains its operational credibility; the collective NATO responsibility in this regard continues to rest with the NAPMO.

 THE NE-3A AIRCRAFT STATISTICS

The basic NE-3A aircraft is a militarized version of the Boeing 707-320B commercial airliner airframe. It is distinguished by the addition of a large, rotating rotodome containing its radar antennae. Its mission system includes surveillance radar, navigation, communications, data-processing, identification, and display equipment. The heart of the information processing network is an airborne version of the IBM command and control multiprocessing computer. NE-3A fills the needs of both airborne surveillance and Command and Control (C2) functions for tactical and air defence forces. It provides a highly mobile, survivable surveillance and C2 platform. The NE-3A offers superior surveillance capabilities. Equipped with a "look-down" radar, the NE-3A can separate airborne targets from the ground and sea clutter returns that confuse other present-day radars.  Its radar "eye" has a 360-degree view of the horizon, and at operating altitudes can "see" more than 620 kilometres (335 miles). It also can detect and track both air and sea targets simultaneously. 

MAIN DATA OF NE-3A