The NATO Integrated Air Defense System (short: NATINADS) is a command and control network combining radars and other facilities spread throughout the NATO alliance's air defence forces. It formed in the mid-1950s and became operational in 1962 as NADGE. It has been constantly upgraded since its formation, notably with the integration of Airborne Early Warning aircraft in the 1970s. The United Kingdom maintained its own network, but was fully integrated with the network since the introduction of the Linesman/Mediator network in the 1970s. Similarly, the German network maintained an independent nature through GEADGE.
Development was approved by the NATO Military Committee in December 1955. The system was to be based on four air defense regions (ADRs) coordinated by SACEUR (Supreme Allied Commander Europe). Starting from 1956 early warning coverage was extended across Western Europe using 18 radar stations. This part of the system was completed by 1962. Linked to existing national radar sites the coordinated system was called the NATO Air Defence Ground Environment (NADGE).
From 1960 NATO countries agreed to place all their air defence forces under the command of SACEUR in the event of war. These forces included command & control (C2) systems, radar installations, and Surface-to-Air (SAM) missile units as well as interceptor aircraft.
By 1972 NADGE was converted into NATINADS consisting of 84 radar sites and associated Control Reporting Centers (CRC) and in the 1980s the Airborne Early Warning / Ground Environment Integration Segment (AEGIS) upgraded the NATINADS with the possibility to integrate the AWACS radar picture and all of its information into its visual displays. (NOTE: This AEGIS is not to be confused with the U.S.Navy AEGIS, a shipboard fire control radar and weapons system.) AEGIS processed the information through Hughes H5118ME computers, which replaced the H3118M computers installed at NADGE sites in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
NATINADS ability to handle data increased with faster clock rates. The H5118M computer had a staggering 1 megabyte of memory and could handle 1.2 million instructions per second while the former model had a memory of only 256 kilobytes and a clock speed of 150,000 instructions per seconds.[1]
NATINADS/AEGIS were complemented, in West Germany by the German Air Defence Ground Environment (GEADGE), an updated radar network adding the southern part of Germany to the European system and Coastal Radar Integration System (CRIS), adding data links from Danish coastal radars.
In order to counter the hardware obsolescence, during the mid-1990s NATO started the AEGIS Site Emulator (ASE) program allowing the NATINADS/AEGIS sites to replace the proprietary hardware (the 5118ME computer and the various operator consoles IDM-2, HMD-22, IDM-80) with commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) servers and workstations.
In the first years 2000, the initial ASE capability was expanded with the possibility to run, thanks to the new hardware power, multiple site emulators on the same hardware, so the system was renamed into Multi-AEGIS Site Emulator (MASE). The NATO system designed to replace MASE in the near future is the Air Command and Control System (ACCS).
Because of changing politics, NATO expanding and financial crises most European (NATO) countries are trying to cut defence budgets; as a direct result, many obsolete and outdated NATINADS facilities are phased out earlier. As of 2013, operational NATO radar sites in Europe are as follows:
The Belgian Air Component's Control and Reporting Centre was based at Glons, where also its main radar was located. The radar was deactivated in 2015[4] and the Centre moved to Beauvechain Air Base in 2020.[5] The Belgian Control and Reporting Centre reports to CAOC Uedem in Germany and is also responsible for guarding the airspace of Luxembourg. At the new location the Control and Reporting Centre uses digital radar data of the civilian radars of Belgocontrol and the Marconi S-723 radar of the Air Component's Air Traffic Control Centre in Semmerzake.
Bulgaria
The Bulgarian Air Force's Air Sovereignty Operations Centre is located in Sofia and reports to CAOC Torrejón. The Bulgarian Air Force fields three control and surveillance zones, which operate obsolete Soviet-era radars. The Bulgarian Air Force intends to replace these radars with fewer, but more capable Western 3-D radars as soon as possible. The future locations of the new radars are as of 2018 unknown.
Royal Danish Air Force radar stations Radar station with RAT-31DL Radar station with AN/TPS-77 Radar station with Marconi S-723 Control and Reporting Centre
Estonian Air Force radar stations Radar station with GM 403 Radar station with AN/TPS-77(V) Control and Reporting Centre
The Estonian Air Force's Air Operations Control Centre is located at Ämari Air Base and reports to the Baltic Air Surveillance Network's Regional Airspace Surveillance Coordination Centre (RASCC) in Karmėlava, Lithuania, which in turn reports to CAOC Uedem.
French Air and Space Force radar stations Radar station with GM 406 Command and Control Centre
The French Air and Space Force's Air Operations Centre is located at Mont Verdun Air Base and reports to CAOC Uedem. Most French radar sites use the PALMIER radar, which is being taken out of service. By 2022 all PALMIER radars will have been replaced with new radar stations using the GM 403 radar.
German Air Force radar stations Radar station with HADR Radar station with GM 406F Radar station with RRP-117 Control and Reporting Centre
The German Air Force's Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOC 2) in Uedem was deactivated in 2008 and reactivated as CAOC Uedem in 2013. CAOC Uedem is responsible for the NATO airspace North of the Alps. The HADR radars are a variant of the HR-3000 radar, while the RRP-117 radars are a variant of the AN/FPS-117.
Air Operations Centre (Zentrum Luftoperationen der Luftwaffe) (NATO CAOC Uedem), in Uedem
Control and Reporting Centre 2 (Einsatzführungsbereich 2), in Erndtebrück[8]
Remote Radar Post 354 "Blackmoor", in Döbern with RRP-117
Remote Radar Post 355 "Royal Flash", in Gleina with RRP-117
Remote Radar Post 357 "", on Döbraberg with RRP-117
Remote Radar Post 358 "Snow Cap", on Großer Arber with RRP-117
Greece
1st Area Control Centre, inside Mount Chortiatis, with Marconi S-743D 2nd Area Control Centre, inside Mount Parnitha, with Marconi S-743D 9th Control and Warning Station Squadron, on Mount Pelion, with Marconi S-743D 10th Control and Warning Station Squadron, on Mount Chortiatis, with Marconi S-743D
Hellenic Air Force radar stations Radar station RAT-31DL Radar station with HR-3000 Radar station with AR-327 Radar station with Marconi S-743D Command and Control Centre
The Hellenic Air Force's Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOC 7) at Larissa Air Base was deactivated in 2013 and its responsibilities transferred to the CAOC Torrejón in Spain. The Hellenic Air Force fields two HR-3000, four AR-327 and six Marconi S-743D radar systems, however as of 2018 the air force is in the process of replacing some of its older systems with three RAT-31DL radars.
Hungarian Air Force radar stations Radar station with RAT-31DL Command and Control Centre
The Hungarian Air Force's Air Operations Centre is located in Veszprém and reports to CAOC Uedem. There are additional three radar companies with Soviet-era equipment subordinate to the 54th Radar Regiment "Veszprém", however it is unclear if they will remain in service once Hungary's newest radar at Medina reaches full operational capability.
Iceland Air Defense System radar stations Radar station with AN/FPS-117(V)5 Control and Reporting Centre
The Iceland Air Defense System, which is part of the Icelandic Coast Guard, monitors Iceland's airspace. Air Defense is provided by fighter jets from NATO allies, which rotate units for the Icelandic Air Policing mission to Keflavik Air Base. The Iceland Air Defense System's Control and Reporting Centre is at Keflavik Air Base and reports to CAOC Uedem in Germany.
Italian Air Force radar stations Radar station with RAT-31DL Radar station with AN/FPS-117(V) Command and Control Centre
The Italian Air Force's Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOC 5) in Poggio Renatico was deactivated in 2013 and replaced with the Mobile Command and Control Regiment (RMCC) at Bari Air Base, while the Centre's responsibilities were transferred to the CAOC Torrejón in Spain.
Air Operations Command (COA), in Poggio Renatico
Air Operations Centre, in Poggio Renatico
Integrated Missile Air-defense Regiment (Rep. DAMI), in Poggio Renatico
11th Integrated Missile Air-defense Squadron, in Poggio Renatico
22nd Air Force Radar Squadron (GrRAM), in Licola, with AN/FPS-117(V)
112th Remote Radar Station Flight, in Mortara, with RAT-31DL
113th Remote Radar Station Flight, in Lame di Concordia, with RAT-31DL
114th Remote Radar Station Flight, in Potenza Picena, with RAT-31DL
115th Remote Radar Station Flight, in Capo Mele, with RAT-31DL
121st Remote Radar Station Flight, in Poggio Ballone, with AN/FPS-117(V)
123rd Remote Radar Station Flight, in Capo Frasca, with AN/FPS-117(V)
131st Remote Radar Station Flight, in Jacotenente, with RAT-31DL
132nd Remote Radar Station Flight, in Capo Rizzuto, with RAT-31DL
Latvian Air Force radar stations Radar station with AN/TPS-77(V) Control and Reporting Centre
The Latvian Air Force's Air Operations Centre is located at Lielvārde Air Base and reports to the Baltic Air Surveillance Network's Regional Airspace Surveillance Coordination Centre (RASCC) in Karmėlava, Lithuania, which in turn reports to CAOC Uedem.[14]
Air Force Headquarters, at Lielvārde Air Base
Air Surveillance Squadron, at Lielvārde Air Base
Air Operations Centre, at Lielvārde Air Base
1st Radiotechnical (Radar) Post, at Lielvārde Air Base, with AN/TPS-77(V)
2nd Radiotechnical (Radar) Post, in Audriņi, with AN/TPS-77(V)
3rd Radiotechnical (Radar) Post, in Čalas, with AN/TPS-77(V)
Lithuanian Air Force radar stations Radar station with AN/TPS-77(V) Control and Reporting Centre
The Lithuanian Air Force's Air Operations Control Centre is located in Karmėlava and reports to the Baltic Air Surveillance Network's Regional Airspace Surveillance Coordination Centre (RASCC) co-located in Karmėlava, which in turn reports to CAOC Uedem.
Luxembourg's airspace is monitored and guarded by the Belgian Air Component's Control and Reporting Centre at Beauvechain Air Base.[5]
Montenegro
The Armed Forces of Montenegro do not possess a modern air defense radar and the country's airspace is monitored by Italian Air Force radar sites. The Armed Forces Air Surveillance and Reporting Centre is located at Podgorica Airport in Golubovci and reports to CAOC Torrejón in Spain.
Royal Netherlands Air Force radar stations Radar station with SMART-L GB Control and Reporting Centre
The Royal Netherlands Air Force's Air Operations Centre is located at Nieuw-Milligen and reports to CAOC Uedem. The air force's main radars are being replaced with two modern SMART-L GB radars.
Royal Norwegian Air Force radar stations Radar station with RAT-31SL/N Radar station with SINDRE I Control and Reporting Centre
The Royal Norwegian Air Force's Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOC 3) in Reitan was deactivated in 2008 and its responsibilities were transferred to the Combined Air Operations Centre Finderup (CAOC F). After CAOC F was deactivated in 2013 the responsibility for the air defense of Norway was transferred to CAOC Uedem in Germany and the Royal Norwegian Air Force's Control and Reporting Centre in Sørreisa reports to it. Until 2016 the Royal Norwegian Air Force's radar installations were distributed between two CRCs. That year the CRC Mågerø was disbanded. In its place a wartime mobilization back-up CRC has been formed with a reduction in personnel from the around active 170 duty to about 50 air force home guardsmen.[15] The SINDRE I radars are a variant of the HR-3000 radar, which is also used in the German HADR radars. The newer RAT-31SL/N radars are sometimes designated SINDRE II.
Polish Air Force radar stations Radar station with NUR-12M Radar station with RAT-31DL Radiotechnical Battalion Command and Control Centre
The Polish Armed Forces Operational Command's Air Operations Centre is located in the Warsaw-Pyry neighborhood and reports to CAOC Uedem. The 3rd Wrocław Radiotechnical Brigade is responsible for the operation of the Armed Forces radar equipment. As of 2021, the Polish Air Force possesses three NUR-12M and three RAT-31DL long-range radars making up BACKBONE system, which are listed below.
Portuguese Air Force radar stations (+ one station off map in Madeira) Radar station with HR-3000 Control and Reporting Centre
The Portuguese Air Force's Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOC 10) in Lisbon was deactivated in 2013 and its responsibilities were transferred to CAOC Torrejón in Spain.
Romanian Air Force radar stations Radar station with AN/FPS-117(V) Radar station with WSR-98D Airspace Surveillance Group Command and Control Centre
The Romanian Air Force's Air Operations Centre is headquartered in Balotești and reports to CAOC Torrejón. Additionally, the WSR-98D radar stations in Bârnova, Medgidia, Bobohalma, Timișoara, and Oradea are officially designated and operated as a civilian radar stations by the National Meteorological Administration, however their data is fed into the military air surveillance system as well.
Air Component Command"General comandant aviator Ermil Gheorghiu", in Balotești[18]
Slovak Air Force radar stations Radar station with TRMS 3-D LÜR Control and Reporting Centre Radar station with EL/M 2084
The Slovak Air Force's Air Operations Centre is located at Zvolen and reports to CAOC Uedem. The Slovak Air Force still operates obsolete Soviet-era radars, that are being replaced by Israeli made medium and short range EL/M-2084 radars. Slovak Air Force also operates five mobil 3D long range surveillance radars TRMS 3-D LÜR.
Spanish Air Force radar stations (+ two stations off map in the Canary Islands) Radar station with LANZA 3-D Radar station with RAT-31SL/T Command and Control Centre
The Spanish Air Force's Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOC 8) at Torrejón Air Base was deactivated in 2013 and replaced at same location by CAOC Torrejon, which took over the functions of CAOC 5, CAOC 7, CAOC 8 and CAOC 10. CAOC Torrejón is responsible for the NATO airspace South of the Alps.
Combat Air Command, at Torrejón Air Base
Combat Air Command Headquarter (CGMACOM), at Torrejón Air Base
Air Operations Centre / NATO CAOC Torrejón
Command and Control Systems Headquarter (JSMC), at Torrejón Air Base
Central Command and Control Group (GRUCEMAC), at Torrejón Air Base
Turkish Air Force radar stations Radar station Command and Control Centre
The Turkish Air Force's Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOC 6) in Eskişehir was deactivated in 2013 and its responsibilities were transferred to CAOC Torrejón in Spain. Turkey's Air Force fields a mix of HR-3000, AN/FPS-117, RAT-31SL and RAT-31DL radars, however the exact number of each of these radar and their location in the Turkish radar system is unknown.
Air Force Command (COA), in
Control and Reporting Centre, in Ahlatlıbel
Aerial Surveillance Radar Post, in Ahlatlıbel, with
Royal Air Force radar stations Radar station with AMES Type 92 Radar station with AMES Type 101 Radar station with AN/FPS-126 Control and Reporting Centre
The Royal Air Force's Air Surveillance and Control System is located at RAF Boulmer, and reports to CAOC Uedem. The RAF operates seven Remote Radar Heads (RRHs) across the UK, which feed back to the Control and Reporting Centre at RAF Boulmer. Under Project Guardian, all of the UK's radar stations and systems are being upgraded and strengthened. The UK is also unique in Europe in possessing a Ballistic Missile Early Warning System (BMEWS) which is based at RAF Fylingdales.
National Air and Space Operations Centre (NASOC), at RAF High Wycombe
The North Warning System is a joint United States and Canadian early-warning radar system for the atmospheric air defense of North America. It provides surveillance of airspace from potential incursions or attacks from across North America's polar region. It replaced the Distant Early Warning Line system in the late 1980s.
Royal Air Force Boulmer or more simply RAF Boulmer is a Royal Air Force station near Alnwick in Northumberland, England, and is home to Aerospace Surveillance and Control System (ASACS) Force Command, Control and Reporting Centre (CRC) Boulmer.
Royal Air Force Buchan or more simply RAF Buchan is a former Royal Air Force station near Peterhead in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
Remote Radar Head Benbecula or RRH Benbecula, is an air defence radar station operated by the Royal Air Force. It is located at Cleitreabhal a'Deas, 17 kilometres (11 mi) from Lochmaddy on the isle of North Uist in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland.
Remote Radar Head Neatishead, and commonly abbreviated RRH Neatishead, is an air defence radar site operated by the Royal Air Force (RAF). It is located approximately 11 kilometres north-east of Norwich in the county of Norfolk, England.
Baltic Air Surveillance Network (BALTNET) is an air defense radar network operated by the Baltic States of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.
Canadian Forces Station Saglek is a Royal Canadian Air Force radar base in the former Pinetree Line and currently part of the North Warning System, located near Saglek Bay in Newfoundland and Labrador, 367.7 miles (591.8 km) north-northwest of CFB Goose Bay.
Ground Equipment Facility J-33 is a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) radar station of the Joint Surveillance System's Western Air Defense Sector (WADS) with an Air Route Surveillance Radar (ARSR-4). The facility was previously a USAF general surveillance radar station during the Cold War.
The Estonian Air Force is the aviation branch of the Estonian Defence Forces. The air force traces its history to 1918, and was re-established in its current form in 1991.
An Air Operations Center (AOC) is a type of command center used by the United States Air Force (USAF). It is the senior agency of the Air Force component commander to provide command and control of air operations.
The article provides an overview of the entire chain of command and organization of the Spanish Air Force as of 2018 and includes all currently active units. The Spanish Air Force is commanded by the Air Force Chief of Staff or "Jefe de Estado Mayor" (JEMA) in Madrid.
The Allied Air Command (AIRCOM) is the central command of all NATO air and space forces and the Commander Allied Air Command is the prime air and space advisor to the Alliance. When directed by the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), it provides the core of the headquarters responsible for the conduct of air operations. The command is based at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany.
Remote Radar Head Buchan or RRH Buchan is an air defence radar station operated by the Royal Air Force. It is located at Stirling Hill, 3.2 kilometres (2.0 mi) south of Peterhead on the Aberdeenshire coast of North East Scotland.
Campion Air Force Station is a closed United States Air Force General Surveillance Radar station. It is located 6.4 miles (10.3 km) east-southeast of Galena, Alaska.
Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) is state of readiness and modus operandi of air defence maintained at all hours of the day by NATO air forces. The United States usually refers to Quick Reaction Alert as 'Airspace Control Alert'.
Canadian Forces Station Beaverlodge is a closed General Surveillance Radar station. It is located 4.9 miles (7.9 km) east-northeast of Beaverlodge, Alberta. It was closed in 1988.
Canadian Forces Station Baldy Hughes is a closed General Surveillance Radar station. It is located 22.3 miles (35.9 km) south-southwest of Prince George, British Columbia. It was closed in 1988.
Hofn Air Station is a closed United States Air Force General Surveillance Radar station. It is located 231.4 miles (372.4 km) east of Naval Air Station Keflavik, Iceland. It was closed on 30 June 1992.
Latrar Air Station , also known as Straumnes Air Station, is a former United States Air Force General Surveillance Radar station, located at the top of Mount Straumnes and in the former village of Látrar in the bay of Aðalvík, Hornstrandir. The site was operated by the 934th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron, and was equipped with AN/FPS-3, AN/FPS-8 and AN/FPS-4 radars.
A Control and Reporting Centre (CRC) is according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff publication 1.02 defined as: "A subordinated air control element of the tactical air control centre for which radar control and warning operations are conducted within its area of responsibility."
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