The live control event took place with close cooperation between the DACCC and the Italian Air Control Centre Recognised Air Picture Production Centre and Sensor Fusion Post (ARS) as part of an important Intermediate Operational Assessment. Completed in early October, this activity is just a portion of the complex operational assessment that involves Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOC) Uedem, the NATO Communications Information Agency and Thales Raytheon, the producer of the system.
This successful live test is another important step in the ongoing assessment of ACCS
At the end of the activity Major General Claudio Gabellini, Commander of the DACCC as well as the Italian Air Force’s Air and Space Operations Command declared, “This successful live test is another important step in the ongoing assessment of ACCS”.
The DACCC team taking part in the live evaluation of ACCS. Photo courtesy of DACCC
The base at Poggio Renatico gave the evaluation team the unique opportunity to test the system in an environment where it is already in use by both the Italian Air Force and NATO. The Italian ARS is the only NATO unit using ACCS that are evaluated as mission ready. They have been using the system since 2015 for daily operations in northern Italy both for the Italian Air Force and the NATO Integrated Air and Missile Defence System under the supervision of CAOC Torrejón.
The experience and knowledge of the operators using ACCS on a daily basis set the scene for a realistic assessment of the live control capability of the system. During the tests it was possible to assess the new tools the system offers to the air domain, such as integration with the Link-16 data link system, real time and non-real time functions for planning and executing an Air Tasking Order and exchanging tasking messages in an automated and secure environment. All tests were completed satisfactorily.
The DACCC provides a capability for deployable surveillance and control of Alliance Air Operations. Its mission is to prepare elements for worldwide operational deployment and, together with the CAOCs, delivers well-trained and specialised experts to augment Allied Air Command during Allied operations and exercises.