47.57 (+0.49) 
Airborne Stand-Off Radar (ASTOR) Celebration
A gray day in Waddington, U.K., June 6, didn't overshadow the pomp and circumstance of a major ceremonial event – the presentation of the Squadron Standard to Number 5 (AC) Squadron, which will be operating the ASTOR system.
Raytheon was on hand to celebrate the presentation of the standard and the delivery of the first ASTOR system. In an afternoon of ceremony, the celebration included the Squadron marching band performing slow and fast marches, as well as multiple flyovers by ASTOR, Tornado and Hurricane (the last one flying in the UK) aircraft, recalling the Squadron’s long history. The afternoon was brightened by the colors of tri-service visible in the squadron - RAF, Army and Royal Navy members marching in their respective uniforms.
Tom Kennedy, vice president of Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems, presented a painting commemorating the day. In his remarks, Tom said, “The presentation of the standard brings ASTOR officially into the Royal Air Force inventory, joining such other successful aircraft as the Spitfire, the Buccaneer and the Tornado. ASTOR is the product of honest and forthright collaborative efforts between U.S. and U.K. industry, as well as cooperation between our two governments. ASTOR represents the apex of our countries’ combined efforts to work together in open and honest partnership to provide the very best technology to U.K. forces.”
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Glenn Torpy said in remarks to the squadron, “This ceremony is a fitting start. You will be deployed operationally as swiftly as possible.”
Raytheon has delivered an operational training system, one aircraft and seven ground stations to 5(AC) Squadron, which is a unique tri-service RAF/Army/Royal Navy unit. The ASTOR system is a new type of surveillance system at the cutting edge of technology and military capability. It will provide a 24-hour, all weather Intelligence, Surveillance and Target Acquisition, featuring the new Sentinel R Mk1 aircraft.
The first ASTOR aircraft has been delivered to the customer at RAF Waddington and is fully engaged in the training programme. The Sentinel is flying regularly, essentially on training activities. In addition, phase 1 operator training has been completed successfully. The second aircraft 2 will be joining Waddington within the next couple of months. Seven of the eight ground stations have been delivered to Waddington and are either with the Squadron or are awaiting acceptance. The imagery being produced by the system during training flights has been described as extremely high quality.
Raytheon’s heritage in UK is built on roots that go back over 100 years. Exactly 70 years ago, Cossor built the first radar receiver in the U.K.; eventually leading to the “Chain Home” radar system that defended Britain during World War II. And exactly 55 years ago Cossor demonstrated the first SSR at London Airport. Today RSL is still a leading provider of MSSR systems for both civil and military ATMS requirements.
The Number 5 (Army Cooperation) Squad¬ron was reformed on 1st April 2004 at RAF Waddington, marking the beginning of a new era in the world of military Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) for the Squad¬ron. The new role for ‘5’ is to operate the Airborne Stand-Off Radar (ASTOR) System, which consists of five modified Bombardier Global Express long-range business jets and eight ground stations.
When at full strength, the Squadron will have over 300 RAF, Army and civilian personnel, making No 5 (AC) Sqn the largest flying Sqn in the RAF by some margin.
