http://www.dsti.net/Information/News/70191
加拿大退出北約RQ-4專案
2011-09-01
[據英國《飛行國際》網站2011年8月18日報導]加拿大成為第二個退出諾•格公司RQ-4聯合對地監視（AGS）專案的國家，不過據消息人士透露，該專案剩餘的北約國家已經非常接近簽署最終協議。此決定意味著AGS專案又失去了一個資金來源，剩餘的13個北約成員國將承擔更多費用。去年6月，丹麥宣佈退出該項目。

近期，諾•格公司很可能與北約簽署合同，啟動AGS專案的研製階段。不過，合同簽署前仍需每個成員國批准。根據目前計畫，AGS專案將採購6架RQ-4無人機，該機採用美國空軍的第40批次標準，裝備MP-RTIP（多平臺-雷達技術引入計畫）廣域監視感測器，包括EADS公司在內的歐洲合作夥伴將為該機隊提供移動地面站，全部6架飛機均部署在義大利西西里島的Sigonella空軍基地。（中國航空工業發展研究中心  許鑫家）

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2011/08/18/360927/auvsi-canada-withdraws-from-nato-rq-4-program.html
DATE:18/08/11
SOURCE:Flight Daily News
AUVSI: Canada withdraws from NATO RQ-4 program
By Stephen Trimble

Canada has become the second country to withdraw from the Northrop Grumman RQ-4 alliance ground surveillance (AGS) program, but the remaining NATO partners are "very close" to signing a contract, according to sources familiar with the negotiations.

The decision means AGS will lose another source of funding that must be compensated for by the 13 NATO members still committed.

In June, Canadian TV broadcaster CBC reported that Canada also is withdrawing from the NATO partnership operating the E-3 airborne warning and control system (AWACS).

The AGS program had lost another key partner last June. Denmark also decided to withdraw from the partnership acquiring a six-aircraft RQ-4 fleet in June 2010.

Meanwhile, Northrop and NATO officials are likely to sign a contract to launch the development phase of the AGS programme within several days. The contract award may still have to be approved by each of the national partners before it becomes official.

Previously, Northrop officials had predicted that the long-awaited contract award milestone might not be reached around October.

Northrop is offering to deliver six RQ-4 air vehicles configured with the US Air Force's Block 40 equipment, which includes a wide area surveillance sensor called the Northrop/Raytheon multi-platform radar technology insertion program. It will perform the same role as the USAF E-8C joint surveillance target attack radar system.

European partners, including EADS, will supply mobile ground control stations for the NATO RQ-4 fleet, which will be based at Sigonella AB, Sicily.