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NATO confirms its AWACS plane to participate again
Just a few weeks into the new year, and we can start informing about first confirmed 2012 NATO Days in Ostrava participants. First such a confirmation came from the NATO AWACS fleet.
It is going to be a sixth participation of this aircraft, which appeared for the first time in 2004 and has been coming every year since 2008. Each year, it is met with great interest by the visitors of the show. “The confirmation came in a letter from Gen. Schmidt, the NATO AWACS aircraft commander. The aircraft´s appearance in September is subject to its availability due to the always unpredictable operational deployment commitments or any other issues which might prevent it from arriving,” explains Zbyněk Pavlačík, Jagello 2000 chairman.
“We have experienced similar situation last year when some of the promised aircraft were long not sure to come due to the Libyan campaign,” he adds. “We believe that this year´s AWACS early confirmation has been positively influenced by the ceremony on the occasion of the Czech Republic´s accession to this Alliance programme that had been organized at NATO Days in Ostrava last year. Once we became members, the discussions about participation are easier.”
Read also: NATO Days exhibition opened in Brussels (natodays.cz)
The AWACS aircraft are easily distinguishable due to their large “saucer” above the fuselage, holding radar, capable of detecting low-flying targets at distance up to 300km. The plane will again be positioned at the static display. Visitors will have a chance to view it up-close, including its interior and see for themselves what system it takes to process the radar data. There will also be a possibility to have a chat with the crew.
Last year, the NATO Days in Ostrava & Czech Air Force Days´ organizers managed to bring three different types of early warning aircraft – this Alliance E-3A version, the E-3D of the Royal Air Force (similar but more modern than the “A” version) and the Swedish S100D Argus, featuring a longitudinal rather that a circular radar (present at E-3s) over its spine. “We would sure all like to see the AWACS aircraft again, but as for the time being, we can only hope it will be so. If we receive any information about other participants coming to Ostrava, we will of course share it with our fans,” concludes Pavlačík .
Written by: Ivan Zít
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