O στόλος των πέντε νατοϊκών μη επανδρωμένων εναέριων οχημάτων επιτήρησης (Surveillance UAVs) Northrop Grumman RQ-4D Phoenix, έλαβε πιστοποίηση (IOC) για το αρχικό στάδιο της επιχειρησιακής χρήσης του, ενισχύοντας τις δυνατότητες εναέριας επιτήρησης και συλλογής πληροφοριών για περιοχές ενδιαφέροντος, από το Βορειοατλαντικό Σύμφωνο.

[…NATO’s fleet of five Northrop Grumman RQ-4D Phoenix high-altitude long-endurance remotely piloted aircraft (HALE RPAs) are ready to begin initial operations. The announcement was made on February 15 by NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), General Tod Wolters, at the organization’s SHAPE headquarters in Mons, Belgium. “The declaration of Initial Operational Capability is an important milestone for NATO’s Alliance Ground Surveillance [AGS] Force and for the alliance as a whole,” said Major General Phillip Stewart, SHAPE Strategic Employment Directorate Commander. “This unique, multinational capability, paired with a team of Allied specialists who process, evaluate, and distribute intelligence, provides NATO decision-makers with timely and relevant information…”]