Anigrand Craftswork ANIG2117 1:72 Raytheon Sentinel R.1

Raytheon Sentinel R.1. In early 1990s, the U.K. Ministry of Defence launched an Airborne Stand-Off Radar (ASTOR) program that was a ground surveillance system designed to provide information about the deployment and movement of enemy forces. The requirement stands for an existing modern, class-leading, large commercial business jet aircraft was to be modified to carry the radar and air-to-ground data links. In 1999, the Raytheon Ltd proposal was selected to build ASTOR. The major components of ASTOR program included the use of five Global Express business jets that equipped with the ASARS-2 radar technology, used on U-2 reconnaissance aircraft. Once the contract had been signed, Bombardier moved fairly quickly and converted its original prototype Glo bal Express into the prototype ASTOR. The first flight of the modified prototype was made in 2001, which validated the modifications required for the ASTOR system. The first production Sentinel R1 made its 4.4 hour maiden flight in 2004. The aircraft entered operational service with the RAF based at RAF Waddington and operated by 5 Squadron.