Northrop to upgrade US Navy’s NGC2P tactical data link processor

9 April 2013 naval-technology.com

Northrop Grumman has been awarded an $80m indefinite-quantity indefinite-delivery contract by the US Navy to upgrade and enhance its next-generation command and control processor (NGC2P).

Under the NGC2P technology refresh and Link 22 development contract, Northrop will provide software and hardware system development, engineering services and technology refresh field change kits for the communications processors aboard naval surface ships.

The company will initially provide designs to address obsolescence issues in the existing system.

Awarded to provide the US Navy with increased computational capacity, the contract will also support system capability enhancements and new capability insertion, including integration of Link 22 secure digital radio.

Northrop Grumman Information Systems defence systems division vice-president and general manager Mike Twyman said: "Our collaboration with the navy accomplished this critical capability for warfighters, and we will continue to provide innovative and affordable solutions to enhance the system."

A tactical data link communication processor, NGC2P system has been designed to provide critical information about friendly and enemy activity during missions in real-time.

The US Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) will serve as the contracting activity on behalf of its organisational partner, the Program Executive Office for Command, Control, Communication, Computers and Intelligence.

Valued at a total of $95m, the five-year contract comes with an additional two-year option and is scheduled to be complete by December 2017.

Work will be carried out at San Diego, California, US, and is expected to continue until December 2019 if options are exercised.

Northrop NGC2P team includes GET Engineering, FUSE Integration and Technology Unlimited Group.