NATO sees resilience as key issue in AWACS replacement

Resilience, innovation and advances in technology will be key factors as NATO maps out a multibillion-dollar effort to replace its aging fleet of 17 Boeing Co E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft, a top NATO official told Reuters.

French General Jean-Paul Palomeros, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, said NATO was starting to map out its requirements for the next-generation of weapons to detect air and surface threats, which will be needed between 2030 and 2035.

Growing threats and greater ability to share information pointed to a so-called "system of systems" approach, rather than a straight one-for-one replacement of a few, highly visible aircraft that would be vulnerable to attack.

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