Nov 05, 2015 defense-aerospace.com

(Source: Fortune; published Nov 04, 2015)

The Air Force’s New Bomber Faces A Pentagon Budget Battle (excerpt)

As Congress seeks billion in defense cuts, America’s new $100 billion stealth bomber looks for space in the Pentagon’s long-term spending plan

The battle over who will build the U.S. Air Force’s next-generation stealth bomber came to a close last week, but a new conflict is already developing at the Pentagon. A defense budget passed Friday has Congress and military planners seeking $5 billion in defense cuts, as the Air Force prepares to squeeze another costly development program into a Pentagon budget already packed with big-ticket weapons buys.

Last week’s award of the Long Range Strike Bomber program, or LRS-B, to Northrop Grumman over a joint bid by defense giants Lockheed Martin “LMT” and Boeing “BA” marks what is expected to be the Pentagon’s last major combat aircraft program for a decade. But as defense planners embark on a slew of much-needed modernization programs over the next decade, money remains scarce—and could grow scarcer still.

With limited funds to go around, the LRS-B program could find itself competing for funds with myriad Pentagon programs amid tightening budgets. The U.S. Navy has embarked on a major program—starting in the early 2020s—to replace its fleet of Ohio-class nuclear submarines, a key component of the nation’s nuclear deterrent. The U.S. Army is engaged in a multi-billion dollar effort to upgrade its ground vehicles and plans to develop and buy a whole new fleet of helicopters in the 2020s. Meanwhile, the Army, Navy, and Marines are all engaged in the $400 billion F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program.

Within the Air Force alone, the LRS-B will join a number of major new and ongoing programs. In the next several years, the service plans to begin replacing its fleet of E-8 ground surveillance aircraft known as JSTARS, its aging Vietnam War-vintage T-38 jet trainers, and its land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles.

A new combat rescue helicopter and a replacement for Air Force One are in the works. Meanwhile, Air Force brass have also prioritized ramping up production on both the F-35 and the KC-46 aerial refueling tanker—made by Lockheed and Boeing respectively—at the same time the LRS-B is trying to get off the ground. (end of excerpt)


Click here for the full story, on the Fortune website.

Oct. 23, 2015 By Ryan Maass (UPI)

SEOUL -- Northrop Grumman corporate officials and industrial partners in South Korea celebrated the first unmanned aerial vehicle component parts manufactured in the country on Thursday. The company officials met during the Seoul International Aerospace Defense Exhibition (ADEX), an industrial aerospace and defense exhibition showcasing around 400 firms. Firstec and Korea Jig and Fixtures displayed component parts for the RQ-4 Global Hawk, an unmanned aerial vehicle designed for high-altitutde, long-endurance intelligence and reconnaissance operations.

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WASHINGTON, Oct. 27, 2015 – Boeing.com

Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] today released the following statement on the U.S. Air Force’s decision to award Northrop Grumman the Long Range Strike-Bomber contract:

The Boeing and Lockheed Martin team is disappointed by today’s announcement. We will have further discussions with our customer before determining our next steps. We are interested in knowing how the competition was scored in terms of price and risk, as we believe that the combination of Boeing and Lockheed Martin offers unparalleled experience, capability and resources for this critically important recapitalization program.

Boeing is the world’s largest aerospace company and leading manufacturer of commercial airplanes and defense, space and security systems. In addition, Boeing supports airlines and U.S. and allied government customers in more than 150 countries. The company’s products and tailored services include commercial and military aircraft, satellites, weapons, electronic and defense systems, launch systems, advanced information and communication systems, and performance-based logistics and training. Boeing employs more than 165,000 people across the United States and in more than 65 countries. Company revenues for 2014 were more than $90 billion. Follow us on Twitter: @Boeing.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 112,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation’s net sales for 2014 were $45.6 billion.

06 October, 2015 by James Drew – FG

Washington DC  - Northrop Grumman has built the first F-35 centre fuselage destined for Japan’s domestic joint strike fighter assembly plant, operated by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI).

The company says the centre fuselage is the core of AX-5, Japan’s fifth example, and will become the first to enter Japan's Nagoya final assembly and checkout plant instead of prime contractor Lockheed Martin’s facility in Fort Worth, Texas. “It is the 207th centre fuselage that the company has produced at its Palmdale site, and the 30th such unit delivered this year,” the company said in a 4 October statement. “[MHI] will perform final assembly and checkout of the Japanese F-35As. The process includes mating the centre fuselage to the forward fuselage/cockpit and wings produced by Lockheed Martin, and the aft fuselage produced by BAE Systems.”

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PALMDALE, Calif., Sept. 14, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE)

The U.S. Air Force expects to increase the number of B-2 stealth bombers available for combat by one full jet and reduce fleet sustainment costs significantly under a new maintenance agreement worked out with B-2 prime contractor Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC).

Under the contract modification signed in April, Northrop Grumman will give each B-2 a major, end-to-end overhaul – a process called programmed depot maintenance (PDM) – once every nine years. Each jet currently undergoes PDM once every seven years. The PDM process, which includes a complete restoration of the jet's exterior surfaces, is performed at the company's Aircraft Integration Center of Excellence in Palmdale.

"This new approach to B-2 maintenance is a win-win for the Air Force and the nation," said Brig. Gen Eric Fick, Program Executive Officer for Fighters and Bombers within the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio. "It will enhance the jet's readiness to conduct global security missions, and is expected to save taxpayers about $900 million in maintenance costs over the life of the fleet."

"The nine-year PDM cycle is part of an aggressive on-going effort by Northrop Grumman and the Air Force to increase bomber availability," said Pat McMahon, sector vice president and general manager for military aircraft systems, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems. "Our experienced work force has critically reviewed every PDM material and process for potential improvements. As a result, we've been able to reduce the length of the PDM process, and increase the time between PDM periods."

Bolstered by the adoption of USAF best practices used by other Northrop Grumman programs, the new nine-year overhaul cycle will reduce the average length of B-2 PDM to 365 days, down from more than 400 days in previous years. Under the new rhythm, Northrop Grumman will induct a B-2 into PDM approximately once every six months.

"Our delivery of the B-2 Spirit of Ohio back to the Air Force in August marked the last time we expect to have more than two jets in PDM at any one time," said McMahon. "Fewer jets undergoing PDM in Palmdale will keep more B-2s ready to serve the nation's security needs."

The B-2 is the only long-range, large-payload U.S. military aircraft that can penetrate deeply into denied access enemy air space. It can fly 6,000 nautical miles unrefueled and more than 10,000 nautical miles with just one aerial refueling, giving it the ability to reach any point on the globe within hours and hold at risk an enemy's most heavily defended targets.

The latest B-2 product news and information from Northrop Grumman is available at http://www.northropgrumman.com/B-2.

Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in unmanned systems, cyber, C4ISR, and logistics and modernization to government and commercial customers worldwide. Please visit www.northropgrumman.com for more information.

05/06/2015 par Emmanuel Huberdeau – Air & Cosmos

Northrop Grumman a présenté le 4 juin 2015 le premier drone HALE (Haute Altitude Longue Endurance) Global Hawk destiné à l'OTAN, baptisé "NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) aircraft".

La commande du Global Hawk avait été décidée en 2012 lors du sommet de l'OTAN. A Chicago, les pays de l'alliance avaient alors signé le contrat d'acquisition de cinq drones  "stratégiques” RQ-4 Global Hawk Block 40.

Northrop Grumman annonce que le système a été développé en collaboration avec des industriels européens dont Airbus Defence and Space, Selex ES et Kongsberg. Au total, les industriels de 15 pays (Sur les 28 de l'OTAN) ont été impliqués dans le programme AGS. Les 28 pays de l'alliance participeront ensuite au soutien du système sur le long terme. L'achat des drones et des équipements associés, ainsi que la formation du personnel, représentent un coût de plus d'un milliard d'euros, selon l'Otan. Les coûts de fonctionnement de l'AGS au cours des vingt prochaines années seront supérieurs à 2 md€. La France ne participe pas au programme d'acquisition.

Suite de l’article

FALLS CHURCH, Va. – March 23, 2015 – GLOBE NEWSWIRE

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) will highlight a full range of solutions aimed at providing best-value enhancements and game-changing capabilities during the Army Aviation Association of America (AAAA) Mission Solutions Summit. The event will be held March 29-31 at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel & Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee.

Northrop Grumman's booth 800 will spotlight tailored enhancements that help preserve command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) dominance, expand mission capabilities and create tomorrow's solutions for today's Army Aviation force.

Featured in the booth will be the company's digital helicopter cockpit and integrated avionics solutions. Derived from the U.S. Army's UH-60V Black Hawk program, the system offers an affordable, integrated suite of avionics equipment. The system's integrated architecture can be applied to many platforms and sustained through a single software package.

Among the multifunction/multiplatform solutions on display will be the Common Infrared Countermeasures (CIRCM) system, which is a lightweight and highly reliable laser-based countermeasure system that is designed to integrate and operate with legacy and emerging missile warning systems for rotary wing, tilt-rotor and small fixed-wing aircraft across the military services.

The company will also showcase the AN/APR-39D(V)2, a radar warning receiver and electronic warfare management system designed to maximize survivability by improving aircrew situational awareness via interactive management of all onboard sensors and countermeasures.

Additionally, Northrop Grumman will highlight its Passive Infrared Cueing Sensor (PICS), Advanced Threat Warner (ATW) and family of tactical radars including STARLite, VADER and Longbow. A number of Navigation Systems (including LN-200, LN-200A; LN-251; LISA 200; LN-100; LN-260; LN-270) will also be on display.

Information on the solutions showcased at the show is available online.

Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in unmanned systems, cyber, C4ISR, and logistics and modernization to government and commercial customers worldwide. Please visit www.northropgrumman.com for more information.

Air-to-air right side view of an USAF T-38 Talon aircraft from 560th Flying Training Squadron, Randolph AFB, TX, taken from the 3rd aircraft in echelon formation as lead aircraft banks to the left.- photo USAF

10/03/2015 par Antony Angrand – Air & Cosmos

Après Northrop Grumman, c'est maintenant au tour de Lockheed de garder sous la main une alternative possible concernant le programme T-X. Northrop Grumman est reparti d'une feuille blanche en abandonnant la version du T-X autour du BAE Hawk, faisant appel à Scaled Composites pour sa nouvelle mouture. Lockheed garde en option un appareil créé de toutes pièces, en parallèle au T-50 Golden Eagle.

Suite de l’article

3 February 2015 naval-technology.com/

The US Navy has awarded a contract to Northrop Grumman for additional AN/AES-1 airborne laser mine detection systems (ALMDS).

Northrop will also manufacture five ALMDS pod subsystems and provide equipment, spares and technical support services.

Northrop Aerospace Systems electronic attack / maritime systems integration director Doug Shaffer said: "The airborne sensor has the capability to keep our sailors out of the minefield, and we are producing it while reducing the per-pod price over previous buys that helps enable the navy to meet their cost targets."

The helicopter-mounted ALMDS is capable of rapidly locating surface and near-surface moored mines and deactivating them before they cause harm to military or commercial vessels.

Using pulsed laser light and streak tube receivers integrated in an external equipment pod, the system generates 3D images of the complete near-surface volume area of the sea.

Mainly aimed at assisting US and allied ships to counter underwater mines, it will serve as a major component of the littoral combat ship mine countermeasures mission package.

The Northrop ALMDS team consists of Areté Associates, Cutting Edge Optronics, CPI Aerostructures, Curtiss Wright Defense Solutions and Meggitt Defence Systems.

To date, the US Navy has received 12 pods as part of four low-rate initial production lots.

Northrop has also delivered four pods to the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force for integration on EH-101 helicopters.

Feb. 2, 2015 defense-aerospace.com

(Source: Northrop Grumman Corp.; issued Feb. 2, 2015)

BETHPAGE, N.Y. --- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC) has received a $21.6 million contract from the U.S. Navy for two additional Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) mission packages. As the mission package integrator, the company will deliver one mission package for surface warfare and one for mine countermeasures.

The capabilities contained in the various mission modules directly support the three LCS primary missions – surface warfare, mine countermeasures and antisubmarine warfare. Mission modules facilitate efficient modular mission package embarkation, mission package operations at-sea, and debarkation / logistics support.

"As the mission package integrator for LCS we are committed to meeting the demanding requirements of our warfighters, while providing supplier base stability and reducing cost to the Navy," said Doug Shaffer, director, electronic attack/maritime systems integration programs, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems. "As more Littoral Combat Ships enter service, the U.S. Navy/Northrop Grumman team has stepped up to make sure the mission modules are available when needed to achieve initial operational capability (IOC)."

Northrop Grumman has delivered three mine countermeasures and three surface warfare mission modules for LCS. A fourth mine countermeasures mission module is in production and scheduled for delivery in 2015. The fourth and fifth surface warfare mission modules are also in production and scheduled for delivery in early 2015. Northrop Grumman performs the final integration work and completes delivery at the Mission Package Support Facility located at Naval Base Ventura County, Port Hueneme, Calif.

Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in unmanned systems, cyber, C4ISR, and logistics and modernization to government and commercial customers worldwide.

19.01.2015 By Stephen Trimble - FG

Washington DC - A new competition has emerged to upgrade the radars for potentially hundreds of the original Boeing F/A-18 Hornet fighters operated by US and foreign militaries.

Northrop Grumman and Raytheon have confirmed plans to offer tailored versions of each company’s active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars for so-called “legacy” F/A-18 Hornets, including A, B, C, D models.

Raytheon recently performed a flight test of the APG-79(V)X radar, a system scaled down from the APG-79 installed on the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.

“I was sitting in the testbed myself and watching it real time it felt like watching the APG-79 I saw in the fleet,” says Michael “Ponch” Garcia, a Raytheon business development director and former US Navy F/A-18E/F pilot and instructor.

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08.12.2014 By Valerie Insinna - nationaldefensemagazine.org

The Navy’s carrier-based unmanned aircraft demonstrator is undergoing preparations for automated aerial refueling testing next year, including a possible flight demonstration using the aircraft itself, said officials from the service and X-47B manufacturer Northrop Grumman.

Thusfar, the Navy had used a surrogate aircraft for AAR testing.

The service in June 2014 awarded a contract modification to Northrop Grumman for aerial refueling research, development, test and evaluation efforts at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland, Capt. Beau Duarte, the Navy’s X-47B program manager, wrote in an emailed statement.

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