NATO's eye in the SKY
The NATO Airborne Early Warning & Control (NAEW&C) Programme is often cited as one of the most successful collaborative ventures ever undertaken by the Alliance. The fleet of 14 NE‑3A aircraft represents the world’s first multi-national, fully integrated Air Force, and is one of the few military assets that is actually owned and operated by NATO.
NAPMO Board of Directors
The NAEW&C Programme Management Organization Board of Directors (NAPMO BOD) has authority over the management and governance of the Programme, particularly in the technical, initial support, financial and contractual areas. The BOD consists of one member from each participating Nation.
NAPMA
As NAPMO executive agent, the NAEW&C Progamme Management Agency (NAPMA) is accountable to the Board of Directors for planning and coordinating acquisition strategy, managing projects associated with modernisation of the NE‑3A fleet, providing sustainment support services, and overseeing the technical aspects of the NAEW&C airworthiness programme.
NAPMO / Brunssum Information
NAPMO Info & E‑3A Skywatch
All information you need to know in printer friendly PDF format
NAPMA Multimedia
Newsroom
- NE-3A is a Team Sport!
The December 2023 SKYWATCH issue featured details about the Final Lifetime Extension Programme (FLEP), a major modernisation activity that will assure the operational capability of the NE-3A fleet until its planned retirement in 2035. With the recently announced acquisition of a fleet of E-7 aircraft, both programmes support NATO's long-term vision for an operationally, high-performance Airborne Early Warning System.
- NATO E-3A Combined Test Team Ready for Action
Since the inception of the Combined Test Team (CTT) in September 2022, a lot has been accomplished getting the joint Force-NAPMA team prepared to conduct Final Lifetime Extension Program (FLEP) lab and aircraft testing. There is still work to go but due to the support from Force organizations, from Flight Medicine through Infrastructure, the CTT is prepared to begin formal FLEP test activity in 2024.
- Ground Test Station, an essential element in the FLEP EMD phase
Last month the Ground Test Station, referred to as GTS, was delivered from the NCIA facilities at JFC Brunssum to the NATO E-3A Air Base in Geilenkirchen. In the next months the GTS will undergo the final build-up steps prior to site acceptance test. Engineering vetting for the use is achieved via the NAPMA Chief Engineer OSS&E process complemented by an Approval for Test (AfT).
- Chief Engineer’s Office Visits N-1 in Modification
- FLEP… the BIG Picture
We all know that the NE-3A Final Lifetime Extension Programme (FLEP) will bring new functionalities and updates to the aircraft.
But there is much more to FLEP!
Several new and improved ground systems will be introduced. These modernization areas will improve mission planning, mission system testing, software configuration/maintenance and will provide a realistic mission environment to provide essential mission crew training on the ground. - FLEP Combined Test Team (CTT) Stands Up
Most of you know that the NATO E-3A Community has embarked on a significant, culminating upgrade to the current AWACS capability: the Final Lifetime Extension Programme, known as “FLEP”. This upgrade primarily focuses on Mission System modernisation ensuring the E-3A’s operational relevance through enhanced interoperability.
What you may not know is the that at the forefront of FLEP is a joint team of NAEW&C Force and NAPMA personnel called the Combined Test Team or CTT. - Do You Know Me? – I’m the B-O-D!
Look… up into the sky… it’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s… the NAPMO Board of Directors… the B-O-D!
Ok, the B-O-D is not Superman, but for over 40 years the BOD has governed one of the most successful international programmes in history, the world’s first multi-national, fully integrated Air Force – “NATO’s Air Force.” The NATO Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) Programme Management Organization (NAPMO) Board of Directors has authority over the management and governance of the NATO AEW&C Programme, particularly in the technical, initial support, financial and contractual areas. - Assisting with Fleet Sustainment well into the future
The Final Lifetime Extension Programme, also referred to as “FLEP”, for NATO’s E-3A fleet is well underway. Just a few months ago in April, N-1 was flown to the Depot Level Maintenance facility at Leonardo in Tessera, Italy. To date, most of the legacy equipment has been removed from the aircraft to allow for the installation of new and modified replacements. But there is so much more happening behind the scenes that is not immediately obvious.
- Black Label 5.0 gets fielded
- Will inflation affect the FLEP programme?
- N1-induction; A FLEP Milestone
- Wow! And, What’s Next?
- NATO Recognition as Airworthiness Authorities