NATO Global Hawk under way

MOSS POINT, Miss. -- Northrop Grumman Unmanned Systems Center started production on the first NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) Block 40 Global Hawk. NATO representatives, state dignitaries, community leaders and employees celebrated the start of production for the first of five aircraft. The system will provide NATO with near real-time terrestrial and maritime situational awareness information throughout the full range of NATO military and civil-military missions. NATO is acquiring the system with 15 nations participating including Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and the United States. Northrop Grumman was awarded the contract in May 2012 during the NATO Summit. The company's industrial team includes EADS Deustchland GmbH (Cassidian), Selex ES and Kongsberg, as well as leading defense companies from all participating nations. (Source: PRNewswire, 12/03/13) The Moss Point facility also does finishing work on the B and C models of the Fire Scout unmanned helicopter. Previous: Northrop reorganizes sector; Block 40 Global Hawk in trouble; Finmeccanica gets AGS contract