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Paris Air Show: RAF prepares ASTOR for first full Afghan tour
By Gareth Jennings
17 June 2009
RAF Raytheon R.1 Sentinel (IHS Jane's/Patrick Allen)
The UK Royal Air Force (RAF) is in the process of preparing its Raytheon Sentinel R.1 Airborne Stand-Off Radar (ASTOR) airborne ground surveillance system for its first fully operational tour of Afghanistan.
Speaking at the Paris Air Show on 16 June, Group Captain Harry Kemsley, Officer Commanding 5 (Army Co-operation - AC) Squadron, said that with two "dress rehearsal" tours to Afghanistan already under its belt, the RAF would soon deploy ASTOR back into theatre, although he was unable to give a specific date as to when this might be.