Phoenix Soars Over Sigonella For First Flight

NATO

By NAS Sigonella Public Affairs

It took over 20 years and more than 20 countries to make it happen, but on June 4, the Phoenix rose into the Sicilian sky for a momentous first flight, heralding a new era in NATO aviation history.

Coming in at over 7 tons and with a longer wingspan than a Boeing 737, the Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) NATO RQ-4D “Phoenix” remotely piloted aircraft is not your average drone. Based on the US Air Force block 40 Global Hawk, it has been uniquely adapted to NATO requirements, providing state-of-the art intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities that will benefit all NATO allies.

This initial flight test lasted 9 hours, with pilots working in the NATO AGS Operations center controlling the aircraft from takeoff to landing. During the flight, the Phoenix’s sensors collected Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery and Moving Target Information (MTI) data which, was transferred to the Processing, Exploitation and Dissemination (PED) center for near realtime processing and future distribution to Allies.

“I am proud of the team! They were able to successfully conduct the first mission launching, operating and landing our NATO RQ-4D Phoenix “MAGMA10” today,” said Major General Phillip Stewart, United States Air Force, commander of the NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance Force (NAGSF). “For many among the Force and for the whole of NATO, this is a great milestone event opening the chapter for a new and muchneeded capability of the Alliance in the field of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance,” he added.

Naval Air Station Sigonella (NASSIG), known as the Hub of the Med, is the “perfect fit for long-term flight,” said Lt. Col. Stephan Mehl, a German Air Force pilot involved in this mission. Capable of continuous flight for over 20 hours, the Phoenix represents years of hard work of several countries and contractors.

“There have been a lot of ups and downs,” Mehl added. “Seeing the integration from different companies complementing each other and working together rather than just beside each other separately is rewarding.”

Being part of an international team was an asset, according to German Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Falk Plankenhorn. “We are taught different ways to approach problems, but maybe someone has a better way to solve it,” he said. “It can be challenging because you may think you know it all, but you don’t. We call all learn from each other.”

After working so long on this project, Lt. Col. Mehl was proud to be a part of this milestone, having seen it go “from an idea to maturing through all the stages,” he said. “It may take some time for it to sink in.”

“It’s a great feeling of accomplishment,” said Plankenhorn, who was responsible for the interpretation of the “blinking dots” sent back by the Phoenix. “It is great to see what you put into place actually take off.”

This flight is just the beginning for the Phoenix and AGS. According to Mehl, AGS is using a crawl, walk, run approach, and the next phase will be “getting acquainted with it.” In the future, AGS will be able to observe what is happening on the Earth’s surface, providing situational awareness before, during and, if needed, after NATO operations.

Both AGS team members noted the positive role Sigonella has played in getting the Phoenix off the ground. “We are happy to be here in Sigonella,” said Plankehorn. Mehl added, “We are grateful for the support from NASSIG as a whole. We never received a stop sign; they always found new paths to adjust to our needs.”