Date posted: 12/09/2008*

The Airborne Standoff Radar system (ASTOR) has entered service with the Royal Air Force in the U.K.

ASTOR is an advanced air-ground surveillance system which will be jointly operated by the RAF and the British Army. The system provides a highly effective 24-hour surveillance and target acquisition capability while delivering wide area, all weather surveillance and reconnaissance imagery in near real time.

“Accepting ASTOR into service with the Royal Air Force represents the most significant milestone in the ASTOR project to date, with the U.K. armed forces receiving what is an entirely new operational capability,” said Bill Chrispin, leader of the MoD ASTOR integrated project team.

In total, Raytheon delivered four aircraft, eight ground stations – six for tactical purposes and two at the operational level – and full mission support capabilities.

Read the press release.