New air command and control system passes testing milestone

The air command and control system for NATO by ThalesRaytheonSystems has demonstrated its networking capabilities.

In recent testing by the company, the ACCS linked pilot sites in four countries to National Air Command and Control, or AirC2, units to form a single integrated AirC2 system while handling a number of military air movements.

"This success marks a key milestone in the adoption of the ACCS system by NATO member nations," said Enzo Montalti, director of the AirC2 Program Office and Services at the NATO Communications and Information Agency. "It (the ACCS) will be phased in alongside existing national systems and then replace them progressively, ultimately enabling member nations to plan and conduct air operations together in a full automated manner."

Philippe Duhamel, chief executive officer of ThalesRaytheonSystems, said the testing was the last milestone before full deployment of ACCS in all European NATO nations.

"Once fully deployed, the system will protect 10 million square kilometers (about 3.8 million square miles) of European airspace against a range of threats by coordinating systems in member nations," he said.

The ACCS is designed to adapt to new operational challenges, with continued advancements to AirC2 or additional ballistic missile defense capabilities and will provide "the solid command and control foundation needed for future alliance missions," the company said.