Oct 31, 2013 ASDNews Source : Lockheed Martin Corporation

LONGBOW LLC, a joint venture between Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, received a $92.8 million contract from the U. S. Army to provide Life Cycle Contractor Support (LCCS) for LONGBOW programs on the AH-64D and AH-64E helicopters.

The LCCS contract provides integrated logistics support for LONGBOW Fire Control Radar (FCR) systems equipping AH-64D and AH-64E Apache helicopters. The contract also includes support for the AH-64E Unmanned Aerial System Tactical Common Data Link Assembly (UTA) and upgraded FCR Radar Electronics Unit (REU). The period of performance for the LCCS contract extends through 2016.

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16 octobre 2013, Portail des Sous-Marins

Dans le cadre d’un contrat de 34,5 millions $ signé avec l’US Navy, Northrop Grumman Corp. va modifier les 3 avions de guet aérien E-2C Hawkeye de la marine nationale, avec un système d’identification IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) modernisé, améliorant la mise en commun et l’interopérabilité avec les avions E-2D Advanced Hawkeye de l’US Navy.

Les systèmes IFF permettent aux avions de chasse de distinguer forces amies et ennemies. La modernisation comprendra l’installation d’interrogateurs AN/APX-122A IFF Mode 5/Mode S et de transpondeurs AN/APX-123 IFF Mode 5/Mode S.

« Northrop Grumman entretient un partenariat long et fructueux avec la marine nationale, remontant à 1997, » a expliqué Bart LaGrone, vice-président des programmes E-2/C-2 chez Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems. « Au travers de ce partenariat, nous avons observé l’approche proactive et innovante adoptée par la marine nationale pour maintenir la pertinence de sa flotte et du personnel travaillant sur les E-2 Hawkeye. »

La marine nationale met en œuvre le E-2C Hawkeye depuis 2000 lorsqu’a été constitué la 1ère escadrille française de E-2 Hawkeye, la Flottille 4F basée à Lorient. La France est le seul pays autre que les Etats-Unis à utiliser ses E-2 Hawkeye depuis un porte-avions. Ce lien unique a conduit à multiplier les exercices d’interopérabilité où les 2 marines mettent en œuvre des Hawkeye depuis un porte-avions de l’autre marine. Le premier de ces échanges s’est déroulé en mai 2001 quand un E-2 Hawkeye de l’US Navy a décollé du pont de l’USS Enterprise pour apponter sur le Charles de Gaulle.

Référence : Aerospace Manufacturing and Design (Etats-Unis)

BETHPAGE, N.Y., Oct. 15 (UPI)

The French Navy's E-2C Hawkeye airborne early warning aircraft are being upgraded with an identification friend-or-foe system from Northrop Grumman.

Included in the upgrade of the three aircraft will be installation of AN/APX-122A IFF Mode 5/Mode S interrogators and AN/APX-123 IFF Mode 5/Mode S transponders.

"Northrop Grumman has had a long and collaborative partnership with the French Navy, extending back to October 1997," said Bart LaGrone, vice president, E-2/C-2 programs, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems. "Through that partnership, we've observed the proactive and innovative approach the French Navy takes to maintaining relevancy of its E-2 Hawkeye fleet and personnel."

The IFF system, for distinguishing between friendly and enemy aircraft, will increase the French planes' commonality with U.S. Navy E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft and interoperability.

The value of the contract was not disclosed, nor was a contract performance timeline.

The E-2C Hawkeye is manufactured by Northrop Grumman. The French Navy has operated the aircraft since 2000.

September 24, 2013 defense-aerospace.com

(Source: Northrop Grumman Corporation; issued September 23, 2013)

Northrop Grumman Completes Safety of Flight Testing on Common Infrared Countermeasure System

ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill. --- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC) achieved another significant milestone on its Common Infrared Countermeasure (CIRCM) program by completing safety of flight testing on prototype hardware.

The Northrop Grumman CIRCM system is a lightweight, low-cost, high-reliability laser-based countermeasure system. It 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. Safety of flight testing was completed Aug. 14, demonstrating that the production-ready system has matured to the point of operation under stressing flight conditions. The CIRCM was exposed to intense environmental conditions, such as temperature, vibration, altitude and humidity extremes, as well as crash shock and explosive atmospheres.

"Passing each of the testing requirements makes a clear statement that the Northrop Grumman CIRCM system is ready and safe to fly, and provides more factual evidence and proof of the maturity of our solution," said Jeff Palombo, vice president and general manager of Northrop Grumman's Land and Self Protection Systems Division. "Our open architecture solution continues to meet program requirements while achieving on-time performance, propelling us toward the EMD phase of the program and the fielding of the next generation of aircraft survivability for our warfighters."

The safety of flight testing comes on the heels of the preliminary design review in July when Northrop Grumman presented the U.S. Army with a system design that surpasses the program's weight and electrical power requirements. After being awarded a technology development contract to develop the CIRCM in 2012, the company completed acceptance testing on the first suite of equipment and delivered a complete hardware set in January – two months ahead of schedule.

Northrop Grumman is an industry leader in directional infrared countermeasures system design and manufacture. The company's infrared countermeasures systems have been installed on more than 800 aircraft representing 50 different aircraft types, including large and small fixed-wing, rotary-wing and tilt-wing platforms.

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.

September 23rd, 2013 By Northrop Grumman - defencetalk.com

Northrop Grumman Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR) will help extend the viability of the U.S. Air Force’s F-16 fighter aircraft beyond 2025 and help ensure the F-16 remains a vital component of the nation’s fighter force structure.

Skip Wagner, director of International Business Development and Strategy for Northrop Grumman’s ISR and Targeting Systems Division, provided details on the radar upgrades to reporters in a briefing today at the Air Force Association’s Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition 2013.

Northrop Grumman was chosen by prime contractor Lockheed Martin as the radar provider for the F-16 Combat Avionics Programmed Extension Suite (CAPES), which is an avionics modernization program designed to keep the F-16 viable in future threat environments and improve system reliability and maintainability.

CAPES program objectives are to mitigate critical future capability gaps, provide advanced electronic protection, enhance situational awareness and survivability, and provide options to meet force structure requirements with modernized F-16s. SABR contributes substantially to CAPES program objectives.

“We are proud that SABR is the centerpiece of the F-16 CAPES program,” said Wagner. “The radar system adds robust electronic protection, including modes ported directly from the F-35′s AN/APG-81 radar to counter current and future threats. As a matter of fact, SABR has 95 percent re-use of fifth generation AESA modes adding to commonality and affordability.”

SABR includes Big Synthetic Aperture Radar (Big SAR) mapping, which allows for broader all-environment precision mapping. Auto Target Cueing and Auto Target Recognition improves situational awareness and combat identification. Air-to-air and air-to-surface detection, tracking, and weapons employment ranges have all been increased. Mode interleaving also improves situational awareness and survivability.

“With the capabilities that SABR brings, reliability and availability will be three to five times greater than with the mechanically scanned F-16 radars fielded just two decades ago,” added Wagner. “That adds up to higher readiness rates and lower support costs. SABR brings great value.”

SABR’s design incorporates proven hardware and advanced operating modes from Northrop Grumman’s F-35 and F-22 AESAs. The high degree of commonality among the various AESA radars, coupled with shared manufacturing processes and infrastructure, enables efficiencies and affordability across all of Northrop Grumman’s AESA programs.

As part of the contractual agreement with Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman will also be upgrading the radars for the Taiwan Air Force’s F-16 fleet. Radar development and production activities for the U.S. and Taiwan F-16 upgrade programs will run in parallel and demonstrate the benefits of international cooperation, interoperability and equipment commonality for U.S and allied forces.

Other AESA radars developed by the company are currently flying on the F-16 Block 60, F-22 and F-35 Lightning II.

16 September 2013 naval-technology.com

The US Navy and Northrop Grumman have completed another phase of autonomous aerial refuelling (AAR) test, intended to significantly increase the endurance and range of the X-47B unmanned combat air system demonstrator (UCAS-D).

During the test, being conducted in Niagara Falls, New York, US, a Calspan-built Learjet equipped with navigation and vision processor software from the X-47B unmanned combat air system (UCAS) demonstrator aircraft assisted the AAR test flight.

As a surrogate aircraft, the Learjet conducted a series of autonomous flights, behind an Omega K-707 aerial refuelling tanker, fitted with a refuelling interface system and tanker operator station.

The navy's unmanned combat air system programme manager, Captain Jaime Engdahl, said the AAR trials aim to demonstrate technologies, representative systems and procedures that allow the unmanned systems to safely approach and manoeuvre around tanker aircraft.

"Demonstrating AAR technologies and standard refueling procedures is the next logical step for our demonstration programme," Engdahl said.

The team is applying both navy and air force style refuelling techniques as well as demonstrating that the same systems architecture extends the autonomous systems distributed control concept from the aircraft carrier to the airborne refuelling environment, according to Engdahl.

The trials have been designed to assess the final X-47B AAR systems functionality and navigation performance as well as validate the government tanker refuelling interface systems.

"By demonstrating that we can add an automated aerial refueling capability to unmanned or optionally manned aircraft, we can significantly increase their range, persistence and flexibility," Engdahl continued.

The US Navy is planning to resume aerial refuelling testing using a completely autonomous setup, later this year.

ThNDR and Lightning: Northrop's ThNDR system is designed to protect the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter from enemy missiles. (Northrop)

Sep. 16, 2013 - By AARON MEHTA – Defense News

WASHINGTON — Northrop Grumman on Thursday unveiled a new anti-missile laser protection system designed for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter in Washington.

The Threat Nullification Defensive Resource — ThNDR for short, to compliment the F-35’s “Lightning” designation — is a progression from Northrop’s directional infrared countermeasures (DIRCM) family of systems.

DIRCM works by sensing by intercepting an incoming missile with a laser that confuses the seeker head on the weapon, causing it to lose track of the aircraft. The system has been highly successful, with installation on over 50 different platforms, but had yet to be mounted on a fighter jet in large part due to the challenge of getting a system to work with the tight turns and high speeds that pilots would be required to make in a combat situation.

Although not yet part of the F-35 program, Northrop is confident the Pentagon wants to incorporate some form of missile-protection into its fifth-generation fighter.

“We know that requirement does exist and it is on its way,” said Jeffrey Palombo, Northrop’s sector vice president and general manager for the Land and Self-Protection Systems Division. In an attempt to get ahead of potential competition, the company self-funded the research and design of ThNDR.

ThNDR was designed to meet specific size limitations for the F-35. It will be nestled next to the distributed aperture system (DAS), also designed by Northrop, and tap into the cooling system already in the fighter. Each jet will get a pair of systems, one on the top of the plane and one on the bottom, to create 360-degree coverage against threats.

A major feature of the F-35 is its low-observable design, vital to its stealth capabilities. Anything sticking off the plane could threaten those stealth characteristics, so ThNDR will be installed inside the jet, with a window cut out to allow the lasers to operate.

The company expects the requirement for a missile defense system to be included in the Block 5 upgrade, in the 2017 time frame, and be available for all domestic and international customers. “There’s no reason at all that it can’t be retrofitted” into an already-produced F-35, Palombo said, although he declined to go into details on what that might look like.

The system still has a way to go before completion, with testing planned in Northrop’s laboratories before the end of the year. While no requirement has been issued, Carl Smith, vice president of Infrared Countermeasures, said the company is keeping in touch with the F-35 Joint Program Office.

“We go talk with them periodically,” Smith said. “We share what our progress is. There’s obviously dialogue with Lockheed Martin. We keep everybody abreast of where we are and what’s happening. “

While designed for the F-35, Palombo said the company expects other fighters, such as the F-15, to eventually include a requirement for a DIRCM system.

“It’s really a fast jet capability,” Palombo said. “Look at the fact there aren’t going to be many new starts for airplanes. We’re going to be flying F-22s, F-16s, F-15s for a very long time, and they’re going to have to be protected, as well.”

The system could be mounted into the bottom of the airplane, or reconfigured to fit into a self-contained pod that can be attached to the bottom of a jet. It would also have the option to be liquid or air-cooled.

“We believe [the F-35 is] probably the first actual requirement proposal that will be coming down the pike,” Palombo reiterated. “It is very likely there will be others, either in parallel with that or immediately following that.”

Northrop executives describe ThNDR as a “sixth-generation” system, and the company is keeping an eye on what a seventh-gen system might look like. Smith, at least, believes that would likely involve higher-powered lasers in the “tens of kilowatts of energy.”

Sep 10, 2013 ASDNews Source : Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has supplied the final batch of Platform Management System (PMS) hardware for the Royal Navy's Astute-class series' boat 5 submarine.

Under a performance partnering arrangement, Northrop Grumman's Sperry Marine business unit supplied the PMS to BAE Systems Maritime–Submarines for installation on Astute Boat 5, Anson, at its shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness, U.K. The PMS equipment controls and monitors the submarine's platform machinery and onboard systems.

"Northrop Grumman has a well established relationship with the Royal Navy, supplying and supporting systems for surface ships and submarines," said Andrew Tyler, chief executive U.K. and Europe, Northrop Grumman. "The continued success of our involvement in the Astute programme is a reflection of the skill of our teams and the close partnership that we have with BAE Systems and the Ministry of Defence."

Additionally, Northrop Grumman is currently under contract to supply PMS hardware and software for Astute Boat 4 (Audacious) and the forthcoming Astute boats 6 and 7, which will be the Royal Navy's newest nuclear-powered submarines.

"Our extensive track record of delivering reliable, high-performance navigation and ship control solutions has helped to establish us as a preferred supplier for Royal Navy platforms," said Alan Dix, managing director of Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine. "We are particularly pleased that we have achieved 100 percent on-time delivery status during the two-year process for Astute Boat 5."

Based on Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine's innovative approach to configuring commercial off-the-shelf hardware and software to meet exacting military and commercial applications, the PMS is expected to reduce life cycle costs and minimize program risk for the U.K. Ministry of Defence. The system will provide an advanced network design that includes the stringent levels of safety and redundancy associated with nuclear submarine control systems.

Also, the Platform Management System is expandable and versatile due to an open architecture design that allows interfacing with third-party equipment via standard field-bus technology.

Sep 9, 2013 ASDNews Source : Northrop Grumman

 – Sept. 9, 2013 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has been retained by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) to carry out a further phase of development of the N.Guru Cyber Situational Awareness System, the software application for the visualisation of cyber events for decision makers.

The research project awarded by Dstl will be carried out by Northrop Grumman in partnership with the Universities of Oxford and South Wales. This work is part of the MOD's Cyber Research Programme and is developing concepts, tools and techniques to provide cyber situational awareness for users.

"The ability to visualise cyber events in new ways will help create greater situational awareness and enable users to improve the speed and effectiveness of network defence decision making," said Danny Milligan, sector managing director, Northrop Grumman Information Systems Europe. "This research and the resulting capability it produces will be a key enabler in helping the MOD to defend its digital assets intelligently and maintain its core business processes."

The N.Guru project will develop techniques for the monitoring and mitigation of detected risks through the use of visualisations that enhance situational awareness and facilitate decision support for cyber defence. It will also explore the impact that a cyber-threat could have on business processes, look for more widespread anomalies and known threat patterns, and provide information that enables operators to develop mitigation actions.

Northrop Grumman in the U.K. has successfully supported a number of cyber research programmes following the commissioning of the Federated Cyber Range at its Fareham site in 2010. The company is also teamed with Finmeccanica for the NATO Computer Incident Response Capability, which is currently being rolled out to multiple NATO sites in Europe and North America.

MANCHING, Germany – Sept. 3, 2013 – Northrop Grumman

The EURO HAWK® unmanned aircraft system (UAS) set an endurance record Aug. 8 when it flew continuously for 25.3 hours in European airspace. Built by Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC), operating through its subsidiary Northrop Grumman ISS International Inc. (NGISSI), and Cassidian (EADS Deutschland GmbH), the UAS climbed to 58,600 feet over Manching Air Base, Germany.

With a wingspan greater than most commercial airliners, EURO HAWK® can fly at altitudes more than 60,000 feet for more than 30 hours. It can detect radar and communication emitters with its advanced signals intelligence sensors and updated payload software.

"This is the longest flight flown in European skies by an unrefuelled UAS in the more than 30,000-pound [14,600-kilogramme] class," said Rolf Wirtz, head of Mission Systems, Cassidian's UAS branch. "The EURO HAWK® has performed safely and reliably with good results throughout its entire flight test programme. It is the only system that can meet Germany's requirement for high-altitude signals intelligence surveillance missions."

On June 6, the EURO HAWK® flew over the North Sea for the first time, soaring throughout Germany before returning 6.5 hours later to Manching Air Base.

"To date, the EURO HAWK® has completed 19 flights and approximately 200 flight hours," said Janis Pamiljans, sector vice president and general manager of Unmanned Systems for Northrop Grumman's Aerospace Systems sector. "I commend the entire EURO HAWK® customer and industry team on achieving this record-breaking flight. We remain committed to delivering the best technology solution at the most affordable cost to meet Germany's national security interests."

EURO HAWK® is an interoperable, modular and cost-effective replacement to the retired fleet of manned Breguet Atlantic aircraft, which was in service from 1972-2010. The flight test phase is currently scheduled through September 2013.

About Cassidian

Cassidian, an EADS company, is a worldwide leader in global security solutions and systems, providing lead system integration and value-added products and services to civil and military customers around the globe: air systems (aircraft and UAS), land, naval and joint systems, intelligence and surveillance, cybersecurity, secure communications, test systems, missiles, and services and support solutions. Please visit www.cassidian.com for more information.

About EuroHawk GmbH

EuroHawk GmbH, a 50-50 joint venture of Northrop Grumman and Cassidian, serves as the national prime contractor for the German Ministry of Defence through the system's entire life cycle. Please visit www.eurohawk.de for more information.

About Northrop Grumman

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.

August 28, 2013 GLOBE NEWSWIRE

FALLS CHURCH, Va. – Aug. 28, 2013 – Northrop Grumman Australia Pty Limited, a subsidiary of Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC), announced that it has signed a definitive agreement with Qantas Airways Limited (ASX:QAN) to acquire Australia-based Qantas Defence Services Pty Limited (QDS). QDS provides integrated logistics, sustainment and modernization support to Australian government and military customers. The acquisition is subject to various conditions and is expected to close in 2014. Terms of the transactions were not disclosed.

"QDS complements our current integrated logistics and modernization efforts and advances our international strategy. We expect QDS will provide an important platform for international growth in our key focus areas of unmanned, C4ISR, cyber, and logistics and modernization," said Wes Bush, Northrop Grumman chairman, chief executive officer and president.

"Northrop Grumman's in-country revenue and footprint are significantly enhanced by the QDS acquisition, underscoring our commitment to the Australian and regional defence markets," said Ian Irving, Northrop Grumman chief executive for Australia.

With more than 300 employees in facilities throughout Australia, QDS provides through life support for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Multi Role Tanker Transport fleet, turn-key operational logistics services for the Australian Government's VIP aircraft, and engine overhaul services for the Orion P-3 and Hawk Lead-in Fighter. In addition, Indonesia recently awarded QDS a contract to refurbish C-130H aircraft. QDS also provides engineering consultancy services to the Royal Australian Navy and other maritime customers.

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.

Jul 25, 2013 ASDNews Source : Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has been awarded contracts totaling $14.4 million by prime contractors General Dynamics Bath Iron Works (NYSE:GD) and Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE:HII) to supply the steering gear system for three new DDG 51 Class Arleigh Burke destroyers.

The steering gear system is vital for the control and maneuverability of the ship and is directly linked to the integrated bridge, as well as the navigation and inertial navigation systems that Northrop Grumman is supplying under separate contracts for the DDG 51 Class destroyers.

Northrop Grumman has been the sole provider of the steering gear system for the DDG 51 Class since production began during the 1980s. This contract award brings the program's total to 69 steering systems.

"These latest awards for the DDG 51 Class steering gear system demonstrates Northrop Grumman's continued excellence in delivering quality mission-critical systems for U.S. Navy ships and submarines," said Bill Hannon, vice president of Northrop Grumman's Maritime Systems business unit. "Our expertise in producing steering, integrated bridge, inertial navigation, machinery controls and other systems makes Northrop Grumman a world leader in shipboard navigation, sensors and ship controls."

The work will be performed chiefly in Charlottesville and the steering systems will be installed on the DDGs at the Bath Iron Works shipyard in Maine and the Huntington Ingalls shipyard in Mississippi before the destroyers are delivered to the Navy. Equipment deliveries are expected to begin in the first quarter of 2015 and continue into the third quarter of 2017.

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.