Qatar moves one step closer to receiving U.S. Air and Missile Defense Operations Center

by Justin Oakes
66th Air Base Group Public Affairs

10/28/2015 - HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- Last week the Air Force and the State of Qatar finalized an agreement for the next step in the delivery of a U.S. integrated air and missile defense system for the Qatari Emeri Air Force.

The Qatar Air and Missile Defense Operations Center, or ADOC, program located at Hanscom AFB awarded Raytheon a $160 million contract for Phase II of the initiative. The contract covers the procurement, delivery, installation and sustainment of the Qatar ADOC system as well as training of Qatari personnel.

Qatar -- a key U.S. partner and also a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council, a political and economic alliance of six Middle Eastern countries -- requested the purchase of a U.S. missile defense system, said James Ware, Qatar ADOC program manager.

"By supporting this sale, it will ultimately benefit the U.S. by providing better interoperability with U.S. Central Command forces," he added.

U.S., coalition forces and the Gulf Cooperation Council share information for united defense and work hand-in-hand within USCENTCOM.

The ADOC itself is a command and control center focused on air and missile defenses. It  consists of multiple different weapon systems and radars, and is composed of a command center, space for operations and planning personnel as well as senior leader offices.

With the next phase underway and on track, the Hanscom program office plans to meet with Qatari officials this month to discuss interoperability requirements to determine what information will be exchanged between the ADOC and existing and planned systems.

One of the systems that is planned to be integrated into the ADOC is the Army's PATRIOT Air and Missile Defense System.

"Mutual approval is necessary prior to adoption of any planned integrated system to ensure data protection is commensurate with prescribed U.S. procedures and standards," Ware said.

Program officials also plan to conduct an Interim Design Review that will allow Raytheon to receive stakeholder feedback early in the development cycle.

"Ultimately, the delivery of the ADOC not only improves upon Qatar's defense infrastructure, but helps solidify an ongoing partnership between the two countries,"  said Tom Cook, Qatar ADOC branch chief.