Communications - Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman Awarded $3.6 Billion ID/IQ Battlefield Airborne Communications Node Contract

Tue, 26 Jan 2021 14:00:00 GMT

SAN DIEGO – Jan. 26, 2021 – The U.S. Air Force recently awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) a $3.6 billion indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (ID/IQ) contract for continued Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) operations, sustainment and support.

The Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) system is hosted on high-altitude aircraft to provide persistent connectivity and operational support 24 hours a day, seven days a week as part of the BACN program.

“We are honored to work with the Air Force to continue to bring the critical gateway communications capabilities of the BACN program to U.S. warfighters operating around the world,” said Ben Davies, vice president and general manager, networked information solutions division, Northrop Grumman. “This ID/IQ award demonstrates the commitment to the continued success of the BACN program.”

This contract provides for research, development, test, and evaluation, integration and operations and sustainment for existing and future payloads contained in or connected to the BACN system. It also includes associated ground stations or controls, ancillary equipment, support equipment and system integration laboratories.

Work will be performed in San Diego, California, and overseas locations through Jan. 24, 2026, and $23.7 million was obligated with the initial task order at the time of award.

Northrop Grumman solves the toughest problems in space, aeronautics, defense and cyberspace to meet the ever evolving needs of our customers worldwide. Our 90,000 employees define possible every day using science, technology and engineering to create and deliver advanced systems, products and services.

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Northrop Grumman’s BACN Gateway System Surpasses 200,000 Combat Flight Hours

Tue, 15 Dec 2020 18:30:00 GMT

SAN DIEGO – Dec. 15, 2020 – Northrop Grumman Corporation’s (NYSE: NOC) leading Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) gateway system reached 200,000 combat operational flight hours since its first deployment with the U.S. Air Force in 2008.

EQ-4B Global Hawk aircraft provide persistent connectivity and operational support 24 hours a day, seven days a week as part of the BACN program.

“This significant milestone further demonstrates the BACN system’s proven ability to enhance situational awareness, improve warfighter safety and deliver open communications capabilities for a wide range of missions,” said Roshan Roeder, vice president, communications, airborne sensors and networks division, Northrop Grumman. “BACN is one of the first battle-tested gateway systems to enable warfighters and platforms to effectively communicate and securely share data across all branches of the Department of Defense.”

Northrop Grumman’s BACN system is a high-altitude, airborne communications gateway that translates and distributes imagery, voice and tactical data from disparate elements—enhancing situational awareness communications and coordination for joint warfighters operating across space, air, land and sea. BACN has been used for missions such as airdrop, convoy, humanitarian assistance, close air support, and theater air control systems operations.

In response to a joint urgent operational need, Northrop Grumman accelerated development of the company’s BACN gateway system onto both manned and unmanned aircraft and delivered the first article of this critical capability to the U.S. Air Force in only nine months. Northrop Grumman has demonstrated agility through the continuous introduction of incremental performance improvements that have been demonstrated and deployed to the fleet over the 12 years of the BACN program. Improvements to the BACN system include enhancing data rates by 10 times, integrating new automation software to streamline communications and improve situational awareness, and implementing new military standard communications protocols.

The BACN system achieved its 200,000 combat flight hours milestone by flying more than 15,500 missions since the system was first deployed in October 2008. The BACN system currently flies on four EQ-4B Block 20 Global Hawk unmanned aircraft systems and three E-11A modified business jet aircraft to provide persistent connectivity and operational support 24 hours a day, seven days a week in multiple countries. The BACN system has delivered a mission availability rate above 98 percent over the last 12 years.

Northrop Grumman is investing in developing low size, weight and power gateway systems which are designed to enable communications and cross domain translations between multiple beyond line-of-sight and line-of-sight networks and datalinks—inclusive of 5th to 4th^,generation capabilities. The development of these systems includes a focus on multi-level secure and integrated functions such as cloud computing, machine learning, artificial intelligence, next generation data links and the use of third-party software and sensor solutions.

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Northrop Grumman to Rapidly Develop Net-centric Gateway

Fri, 01 May 2020 13:00:00 GMT

SAN DIEGO – May 1, 2020 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) is rapidly working on developing and fielding a gatewayONE prototype, an open system enabling translation and communication across platforms, in support of the Advanced Battle Management family of Systems (ABMS).

Northrop Grumman is helping the U.S. Air Force integrate net-centric 5th-to-5th generation aircraft communications capabilities using its multifunction, software-defined Freedom radios. (Credit: U.S. Air Force)

Under the contract, awarded by the U.S. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s C3I & Networks Directorate, Northrop Grumman is providing engineering, management and technical assistance for the Air Force’s integration of net-centric 5th-to-5th generation aircraft communications capabilities and other platforms into a modular, open-architecture gateway. Testing of a flight-representative configuration will be conducted in a systems integration laboratory, on the ground, and in the air based on the four month operational demonstration pace envisioned by the Air Force Acquisition Lead, Dr. Will Roper and the Department of the Air Force Chief Architect, Preston Dunlap.

“We’re constantly advancing capabilities in networking and communications focused on large-scale modular, open architecture systems-of-systems solutions,” said Roshan Roeder, vice president, communications, airborne sensors and networks division, Northrop Grumman. “We are working closely with the Air Force to design and deliver to the field, advanced communications systems quickly and affordably.”

Work performed under this program will directly support live demonstrations of the Air Force’s developing Advanced Battle Management family of Systems. This capability could be used to network together the types of aircraft being developed through the Air Force’s Low-Cost Attritable Aircraft Technology initiative.

Northrop Grumman will integrate this capability — using its proven Freedom radio product line that can connect 5th-to-5th generation aircraft of a single type as well as 5th generation to 4th generation platforms — and via ABMS extend this to enable multiple 5th generation platform types to share and integrate data, helping make interoperability a reality. Freedom multifunction, software-defined radios are the heart of the F-22 integrated avionics suite and F-35 communications, navigation and identification system. Building upon investments, the company is developing affordable variants customized to fit multiple platforms.

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Northrop Grumman to Rapidly Develop Open Architecture Radio for US Air Force

Fri, 10 Jan 2020 14:00:00 GMT

SAN DIEGO – Jan. 10, 2020 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has been awarded a contract to develop and demonstrate a Software Programmable Open Mission Systems (OMS) Compliant (SPOC) radio terminal for the U.S. Air Force.

Northrop Grumman will deliver an open mission systems-compliant software programmable radio terminal to the U.S. Air Force, unlocking new possibilities for the service’s Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS).

Northrop Grumman’s SPOC solution will provide the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center with an air-to-ground and air-to-air communications capability across four radio frequency waveforms: Link-16 CMN-4, Common Data Link (CDL), Multifunction Advanced Data Link (MADL) and Multi User Objective System (MUOS).

This development defines the Air Force’s next generation radio approach.

“Our solution for SPOC provides a mature hardware and software development kit that allows the Air Force to rapidly develop and prototype innovative communications solutions from any provider on an open architecture networking terminal that can be quickly taken into flight test and production,” said Roshan Roeder, vice president, communications, airborne sensors and networks division, Northrop Grumman. “With the Air Force taking responsibility for developing the airborne communications network infrastructure for the Advanced Battle Management System, SPOC radio will allow the Air Force to rapidly develop, test, fly and iterate.”

Northrop Grumman’s SPOC open architecture networking terminal offers numerous benefits to the Air Force customer, including opening the F-35 communications, navigation and identification (CNI) system to third-party developers, ownership of Link 16 development, sharing of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance information over a common data link, and Mobile User Objective System beyond line of sight capability.

Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, space, strike, and logistics and modernization to customers worldwide. Please visit news.northropgrumman.com and follow us on Twitter, @NGCNews, for more information.

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Northrop Grumman Contributions Critical to Fourth AEHF Satellite Launch for the US Air Force

Mon, 28 Jan 2019 20:30:00 GMT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Oct. 17, 2018 – The fourth Lockheed Martin-built Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) protected military communications satellite was successfully launched today aboard a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket. In support of AEHF prime contractor Lockheed Martin and the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) provides the communication payloads for all of the AEHF satellites. In addition, Northrop Grumman provided critical components for the Atlas V rocket, continuing the company’s role in every Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) launch since the program began almost thirty years ago.

“AEHF is a critical program for our nation, and Northrop Grumman is proud to be a member of the industry team partnering with Lockheed Martin and Air Force Space and Missile Systems to deliver this mission-enabling capability,” said Cyrus Dhalla, vice president, communications systems, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems. “Threats to our country’s secured communications are constantly evolving, and we must continuously adapt our technology to address them.”

These Advanced EHF payloads contain the processing, routing and control hardware and software that perform the satellite’s core communications mission. Northrop Grumman delivered the flight four payload in 2014, more than four months early. The company also delivered payload modules for the first, second and third AEHF satellites ahead of schedule in 2007, 2008 and 2009 respectively.

Northrop Grumman sites in California and Maryland also provided bus structures, heat pipes and solar array hinges for the satellite. Propellant and pressurant tanks for the spacecraft were provided by the company’s Commerce, California facility.

With initial operating capability achieved in July 2015, the AEHF system provides vastly improved global, survivable, protected communications capabilities for national command, and strategic and tactical warfighters across ground, sea and air missions. The jam-resistant system also serves international partners including Canada, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. The system delivers the flexible connectivity-on-demand needed to achieve swift, decisive outcomes required by today’s warfighters.

One AEHF satellite provides greater total capacity than the entire five-satellite legacy Milstar constellation with individual user data rates up to five times greater than on the Milstar system. The higher data rates permit two-way, jam-resistant transmission of tactical military communication such as real-time video, battlefield maps and targeting data.

“It was great to see another successful ULA Atlas V launch that flew Northrop Grumman-produced structures and components for the launch vehicle,” said Wendy Williams, vice president, aerospace structures, Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems. “This is a really good example of the breadth of our product line and capabilities and the critical role we play in the Air Force’s EELV launch program.”

The Northrop Grumman rocket components utilize the latest, cutting-edge technology across multiple company facilities. Using advanced fiber placement manufacturing and automated inspection techniques, Northrop Grumman produced three components for the ULA Atlas V vehicle, including the 10-foot diameter composite heat shield that provides essential protection to the first stage engine, the Centaur Interstage Adapter that houses the second stage engine, and the boattail that adapts the core vehicle to the five-meter diameter fairing. Northrop Grumman fabricated these structures at its Iuka, Mississippi facility.

The company also manufactured the Reaction Control System propellant tanks for the Atlas V rocket at its Commerce, California facility. In addition, eight solid motors supported the separation of the rocket’s spent first stage. The company built the retrorockets at its facility in Elkton, Maryland.

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Verdugo Fire Communication Center Upgrades to Northrop Grumman’s CommandPoint® Computer-Aided Dispatch System

Fri, 03 Aug 2018 13:00:00 GMT

MCLEAN, Va. – Aug. 3, 2018 – Emergency dispatchers serving the California cities of Glendale, Burbank, Pasadena, and surrounding communities, will soon have access to Northrop Grumman Corporation’s (NYSE: NOC) fifth-generation Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) technology.

Northrop Grumman is a leading provider of command and control systems for the first responder community and public safety agencies, enabling dependable 911 services for millions of people worldwide.

Northrop Grumman was recently selected by Verdugo Fire Communications to upgrade its legacy dispatch systems located at the Glendale Fire Department headquarters to the industry-leading, commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS)-based CommandPoint® CAD and CommandPoint® Mobility products. The planned rollout of CommandPoint® will significantly increase the operational capability of local dispatchers and fire and rescue services as they respond to public safety incidents.

The new technologies being introduced through the agency’s emergency response management system modernization will substantially boost the amount and quality of information being provided to dispatchers by 9-1-1 callers. The flow of information between callers, dispatchers, fire and rescue stations, and mobile units will also be sped up through the streamlining of communications.

“In emergency situations, every second counts. The quality of information provided to dispatchers and the time it takes to direct units to the scene can change outcomes,” said Nathan Daniels, program manager, first responder solutions, Northrop Grumman. “When seconds count, CommandPoint® delivers as a robust, secure and automated emergency response management system.”

Production of Verdugo Fire Communications Center’s new dispatch system is already underway at Glendale, California. Once live, dispatchers and fire and rescue units will have access to several Northrop Grumman-provided CommandPoint® CAD and CommandPoint® Mobility tools, technologies, services and integrations.

“Northrop Grumman has decades of experience in the field of computer-aided dispatch. Our first responder command and control solutions are trusted by dozens of police, fire, ambulance and security services in the U.S. and around the world,” said Dan Verwiel, vice president and general manager, missile defense and protective systems, Northrop Grumman. “CommandPoint® is our fifth major iteration, providing a significant leap in capability to our customers.”

Verdugo Fire Communications is one of several existing and new customers who have chosen to upgrade to Northrop Grumman’s CommandPoint® CAD product suite.

Verdugo Deputy Chief Silvio Lanzas said, “I am very pleased and very proud to have the relationships with Northrop Grumman’s staff. The entire team have been extremely professional and excellent to work with.”

The U.S. military has also adopted Northrop Grumman’s computer-aided dispatch technology, with the U.S. Navy choosing to modernize its contiguous United States (CONUS) emergency management systems with CommandPoint® at the Southwest, Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, Northwest, and Naval District Washington regions.

CommandPoint® provides a tailorable, easy-to-use Microsoft Windows-based user interface, with features that reduce the potential for errors by prepopulating lists and streamline data entry. CommandPoint® Mobility is an associated software application for in-vehicle mobile data terminals and computers, tablets, phones, and wearables. The system architecture is designed for scalability, allowing customers to expand their operations as needed.

Northrop Grumman leverages its cybersecurity expertise to ensure the system will be ready for the coming challenges of the next generation of 9-1-1. Given the 24/7, critical nature of the emergency management mission, all equipment is installed, tested, demonstrated, and users are trained prior to going live.

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Northrop Grumman Integrates RapidSOS NG911 Clearinghouse Technology into Computer-Aided Dispatch Product Suite

Thu, 02 Aug 2018 20:00:00 GMT

MCLEAN, Va. – Aug. 2, 2018 – Committed to improving emergency response times, Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has partnered with RapidSOS to integrate its Next-Generation 911 (NG911) Clearinghouse technology into its Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) products.

By leveraging the rich data and location information inherent in smartphones and other modern devices, first responders can get to distressed 911 callers quicker, potentially saving many more lives.

This technology gives first responders a more accurate location of distressed callers using smartphones and other internet-enabled devices, thereby improving public safety response times and potentially saving more lives.

RapidSOS is an emergency technology company dedicated to improving outcomes of emergency situations by leveraging the “internet of things (IOT).” Its NG911 Clearinghouse technology allows emergency call centers, known as public-safety answering points (PSAPs), access to advanced location information and other data from smart devices such as phones, wearables, connected cars and homes, as well as popular apps for navigation and transportation services.

“We believe that providing public safety dispatchers and first responders with better, richer data from personal devices will help save more lives,” said Nathan Daniels, program manager, first responder solutions, Northrop Grumman. “The integration of the NG911 Clearinghouse with our emergency response portfolio will greatly benefit our customers and prevent unnecessary difficulties locating callers.”

Over the past two decades, the number of people using smartphones and other internet-enabled devices has grown exponentially. Most of these devices contain sophisticated geolocation technology, which, if accessible to emergency services, can greatly reduce the time it takes to respond to a user in distress.

“RapidSOS is dedicated to providing public safety agencies with life-saving information integrated into their existing workflows and dashboards,” said Jeff Robertson, general manager of public safety, RapidSOS. “This partnership with Northrop Grumman will put advanced emergency information in the hands of 9-1-1 telecommunicators and first responders, enabling more efficient and better prepared emergency response.”

As an industry leader in public safety systems, Northrop Grumman is committed to providing the most advanced emergency management command, control and communications solutions to the First Responder Community. Some of the largest police, fire, ambulance and security services in the U.S. and around the world trust and depend on Northrop Grumman’s CommandPoint® CAD and other first responder products, which is why the company is dedicated to its continual improvement.

Partnering with IOT companies and the public safety community, RapidSOS provides a rich data link to public safety via the NG911 Clearinghouse – sending lifesaving data to aid in emergency response. NG911 Clearinghouse is a free service to public safety, and is integrated with all major vendors of 9-1-1 call-taking, dispatching and mapping software. Learn more about RapidSOS: rapidsos.com.

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US Army Unveils Northrop Grumman-Developed First-of-its-Kind Training System for Wideband Satellite Operators

Wed, 04 Apr 2018 18:30:00 GMT

FORT GORDON, Ga. – April 4, 2018 –The U.S. Army officially opened a first-of-its-kind interactive training system developed by Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) that supports the Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) Satellite Communications program. The WGS constellation of military satellites delivers secure, reliable, resilient communications worldwide for the United States and partner nations.

COL Patricia Sayles, Assistant Commandant, U.S. Army Signal School; COL Enrique Costas, Project Manager for Defense Communications and Army Transmission Systems (PM DCATS); and COL Scott McLeod, Project Manager Training Systems (PM TRADE) look on as SFC Justin Jacobsen, 1C Branch NCO In-Charge for the U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence, cuts the ribbon during a ceremony celebrating the delivery of the Army's new Wideband Training and Certification System (WTCS). (Photo Credit: Mr. James Christophersen (PEO EIS))

Soldiers training to manage and monitor WGS satellite communications (SATCOM) will use the Wideband Training and Certification System (WTCS) to apply classroom learning to simulations generated from real-world events. WTCS is installed on workstations at the Army’s Cyber Center of Excellence in Fort Gordon, Georgia.

WTCS-trained soldiers will soon staff the Army’s five Wideband Satellite Operation Centers (WSOCs) where they will manage satellite payloads, direct the actions of terminals accessing assigned satellites, control terminal transmissions and continuously monitor the system to protect SATCOM and maintain the health of the WGS constellation.

The first class of WSOC operators to use the WTCS graduated in February.

“By using WTCS to ‘train as we fight,’ WSOC operators will be better prepared to deliver their 24/7, no-fail mission to enable satellite communications for our warfighters. It is all about operational readiness; the Army’s number one priority,” said Col. Enrique Costas, program manager for Defense Communications and Army Transmission Systems (PM DCATS).

WTCS simulates various subsystems SATCOM controllers use daily and creates virtual instances for training. The system features guided instruction, student-paced “free-play” in a simulated environment and computer-based training modules. It also includes a learning management system to tailor and track training and a managed document and lesson repository.

Northrop Grumman developed WTCS for the Army’s Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation (PEO STRI). They also provide many of the ground systems used by the Army operators through similar development programs with the Army’s PM DCATS.

“WSOC operators have the responsibility to ensure satellite communications are always up and running. The WTCS will be an integral part of meeting that responsibility by providing training that prepares operators to handle basic operations and more importantly, to be able to handle anomalies and threats. WTCS offers the realistic training at an accelerated pace and a very reasonable cost,” said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. William E. Cole, the Program Executive Officer for PEO STRI.

“Northrop Grumman is proud of our role in the success of the WGS ground management for the past 13 years. We applied the expertise we’ve gained in that role to WTCS, enabling the system to truly simulate the operational aspects of this critical SATCOM ground management capability and assuring our warfighters are ready day one,” said Martin Amen, senior director, secure network operations, Northrop Grumman. “As WGS evolves, we look forward to continuing our contributions.”

In addition to delivering initial occupational specialty training for WSOC operators at Fort Gordon, WTCS workstations will be installed at WSOCs for sustainment training and operator certification.

Northrop Grumman was awarded the $14.8 million, five-year WTCS contract in December 2015. WTCS-related work, which is being performed in Orlando, Florida, will continue through December 2020.

Northrop Grumman’s secure network operations in Orlando develops several systems essential to management of the WGS. For nearly 20 years it has provided the United States with satellite communications software tools critical to the activation and operations of the nine WGS satellites in orbit. In July, the Australian Defence Force announced that Northrop Grumman would provide a satellite ground station and a wideband SATCOM network management system to give Australia full use of the WGS constellation.

Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, strike, and logistics and modernization to customers worldwide. Please visit news.northropgrumman.com and follow us on Twitter, @NGCNews, for more information.

SGT Roy Dilworth III, an instructor at the U.S. Army Signal School in Fort Gordon, GA, demonstrates how students will benefit from the modular, interactive training and simulation system. (Photo Credit: Mr. James Christophersen (PEO EIS))

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Northrop Grumman Awards Scholarships to Australian Professors

Tue, 05 Dec 2017 23:20:00 GMT

CANBERRA, Australia – Dec. 5, 2017 - Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) will support multiyear research projects of three Australian academics with initial grants of AU$75,000 for interdisciplinary research collaboration in engineering, quantum communications, human machine interactions and cognitive radio systems.

Senator Birmingham announced the awards recently at Parliament House. They were presented to Robert Malaney, associate professor, University of New South Wales; Roberto Sabatini, professor, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and Tansu Alpcan, associate professor, University of Melbourne.

“As the speed of technological change rapidly increases it’s critical that we continue to support research and development and embrace innovation. Investment and collaboration from private sector partners like Northrop Grumman is key to ensuring the outstanding research of Australian academics is closely linked to industry,” Minister Birmingham said.

“The professorial scholarships are a continuation of Northrop Grumman’s collaboration with academic institutions in Australia,” said Ian Irving, chief executive, Northrop Grumman Australia. “We will continue to invest in research and development programs in order to support the development of advanced technologies in Australia, increase the capability of our defence industry and to assist the development of science, technology, engineering and mathematics that help develop a capable future workforce.”

L to R: Eric Reinke, Northrop Grumman Mission Systems; Tansu Alpcan, associate professor, University of Melbourne; Robert Malaney, associate professor, University of New South Wales; Roberto Sabatini, professor, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology; Ian Irving, chief executive, Northrop Grumman Australia; Warren King, CMAX Advisory.

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Northrop Grumman’s Astro Aerospace Selected for Airbus Defence and Space Inmarsat 6 L-band Antenna Reflectors

Thu, 30 Mar 2017 12:00:00 GMT

CARPINTERIA, Calif. – March 30, 2017 – Astro Aerospace, a Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC) business, has been selected by Airbus Defence and Space to provide the nine meter L-band mesh reflectors for two Inmarsat 6 satellites.

Astro Aerospace has 100 percent on-orbit success since 1958 and provides the most advanced and reliable unfurlable mesh reflector technology on the market. Astro Aerospace’s unique AstroMesh® technology is particularly well suited for Inmarsat 6’s L-band capacity, which is significantly greater than previous satellites and capable of supporting a new generation of more advanced L-band services. AstroMesh® deployable mesh reflectors are the lightest and stiffest available, making them ideal for this L-band communication mission.

This award continues Astro Aerospace’s successful partnership with Airbus Defence and Space, which began on Inmarsat 4 and Alphasat.

“We are proud to team once again with Airbus Defence and Space to support Inmarsat in providing this next-generation communications constellation,” said John A. Alvarez, general manager, Astro Aerospace. “Our nine meter L-band reflectors will provide our customer the lightest, most reliable and most compact system possible, helping the Inmarsat 6 satellites provide mobile connections to ships, planes, oil and gas platforms, and the broadcasting industry.”

Astro Aerospace (www.northropgrumman.com/astro) is the leading pioneer in space deployable technology structures that have enabled critical complex missions to Earth’s orbit, Mars and beyond. Astro’s hardware is characterized by its efficient light weight structural design and robust deployment kinematics. Since 1958, Astro Aerospace has successfully deployed technology on hundreds of space flights with a 100 percent success rate, a testament to Northrop Grumman's commitment to reliability, quality and affordability.

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Northrop Grumman’s BACN Completes 10,000 Combat Missions

Thu, 23 Mar 2017 15:45:00 GMT

SAN DIEGO –March 23, 2017 – The Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN), developed, operated, and maintained by Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) for the U.S. Air Force, has completed 10,000 combat missions connecting warfighters in the air and on the ground.

BACN is a high-altitude, airborne gateway that translates and distributes voice communications, video, imagery and other battlespace information from numerous sources. Using a suite of computers and radio systems, BACN bridges and extends communications among disparate users and different datalink networks to provide situational awareness and enable better command and control coordination between warfighters and commanders.

The BACN fleet comprises four E-11A manned systems and three Northrop Grumman EQ-4B Block 20 Global Hawk unmanned aircraft systems. BACN supports missions executed in Southwest Asia and reached the 10,000 combat mission milestone, March 6, 2017.

“This is a significant milestone as the BACN system continues to demonstrate it is absolutely indispensable to our warfighters in the execution of their missions. Airborne Gateways greatly increase situational awareness and command and control, capabilities that are equally critical for joint and coalition operations,” said Jeannie Hilger, vice president, communications business, Northrop Grumman Mission Systems.

The persistent connectivity BACN provides is used to successfully execute a number of missions, including airdrops and overall air operations. The system's beyond-line-of-sight capability has been particularly useful overcoming the communications limitations posed by Afghanistan's rugged terrain.

Northrop Grumman is the prime contractor for developing, deploying, operating and sustaining BACN in support of U.S. Central Command. Northrop Grumman maintains the BACN E-11A aircraft platforms; the U.S. Air Force maintains the EQ-4B Global Hawk platforms.

Northrop Grumman was awarded the first BACN contract in April 2005 by the U.S. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (previously the Air Force Electronics Systems Center), Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts. Since the system was deployed in 2008, it has delivered near 24/7 coverage in theater and maintained a payload availability rate of greater than 98 percent.

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Northrop Grumman Completes Delivery of the Fifth AEHF Protected Communications Payload

Mon, 06 Mar 2017 16:33:00 GMT

REDONDO BEACH, Calif. – March 6, 2017 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has successfully delivered the fifth payload for the Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) program to prime contractor Lockheed Martin.

The fifth payload was delivered to Lockheed Martin at the end of September and is currently going through space vehicle level integration. The launch of the fifth AEHF satellite is tentatively planned for 2018.

“This milestone for AEHF exemplifies Northrop Grumman’s continued support to building satellite communications systems that will provide critical, reliable, protected communications to the nation’s warfighters and to our international partners,” said Cyrus Dhalla, vice president, communications systems, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems.

One AEHF satellite provides greater total capacity than the entire 5-satellite legacy Milstar constellation with individual user data rates up to 10 times greater than seen on the Milstar system. The higher data rates will permit two-way, jam-resistant transmission of tactical military communication such as real-time video, battlefield maps and targeting data.

In addition to its critical tactical mission, AEHF also will provide the survivable, protected and endurable communications to the National Command Authority including senior leader conferencing in all levels of conflict.

Advanced Extremely High Frequency satellite payloads contain a full range of features that protect against a wide range of threats. These capabilities include anti-jamming, low probability of detection and intercept, rapid recovery during a nuclear event, the ability to operate through scintillation, greatly reduced risk from physical attack to ground systems, and significant protection from cyber-attack.

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