Sensors - Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman Demonstrates Successful Open Mission Systems Compliant Advanced Sensor

Mon, 09 Nov 2020 14:00:00 GMT

BALTIMORE – Nov. 9, 2020 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has successfully demonstrated an open mission systems (OMS) compliant active electronically scanned array (AESA) sensor in recent ground and multiple flight demonstrations.

Northrop Grumman demonstrating an OMS-compliant advanced sensor during a live ground demonstration. (Northrop Grumman Photo/Released)

For the demonstrations, an advanced Northrop Grumman wideband AESA sensor was connected to an OMS-compliant mission computing system provided by Boeing. After integrating with the Boeing mission computing environment, the AESA sensor was instructed to focus on specific targets, capture and manage data, and communicate the information back to the mission computing system, which was displayed in real-time on an operator’s workstation.

“These demonstrations continue to act as pathfinders to enable further OMS opportunities,” said Paul Kalafos, vice president, surveillance and electromagnetic maneuver warfare, Northrop Grumman. “Using an agile framework, we can quickly develop and adapt complex, multi-function systems to enable multi-mission nodes at the tactical edge of the battlespace, be it Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2), electronic warfare, or intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.”

OMS is an approach based on open architecture design allowing customers to rapidly add new or improved capabilities, regardless of supplier, at a reduced cost. This Northrop Grumman and Boeing joint live flight test demonstrated a key step in continuing the validation and integration of OMS-compliant systems and the ability to successfully transfer relevant active-passive kill chain data.

Northrop Grumman flew the OMS-compliant advanced sensor on its Baltimore-based CRJ testbed aircraft. (Northrop Grumman Photo/Released)

“Northrop Grumman is a pioneer in developing multi-function sensors,” said Greg Simer, vice president, air dominance and strike, Northrop Grumman. “Through our iterative development and flight demonstrations, we are focused on agile development with OMS-compliant sensors and commercial practices to prove the rapid integration of capabilities across mission sets. The result is faster and more affordable advances in sensor capabilities for U.S. forces and their allies.”

Northrop Grumman plans to integrate a combination of OMS/Open Communication Systems sensors and software-defined radios across multiple platforms, networks and nodes to address driving mission needs and ensure multi-domain interoperability. To learn more about Northrop Grumman’s role in connecting the joint force, visit the company’s website.

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 to Integrate Sonar System onto L3Harris Unmanned Undersea Vehicle

Mon, 03 Feb 2020 15:00:00 GMT

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Feb. 3, 2020 – Northrop Grumman Corporation’s (NYSE: NOC) µSAS^TM (pronounced “micro-sas”) will be integrated onto L3Harris Technologies’ Iver4 Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (UUV) for a 12-month test period for the Defense Innovation Unit’s (DIU) Next Generation Small-Class UUV program.

The Northrop Grumman µSAS™ (pronounced “micro-sas”) mounted on a L3Harris UUV

The µSAS is a Low-SWaP (size, weight and power), high-performance interferometric synthetic aperture sonar that enables longer sorties and higher area coverage rates for UUV missions. Integrated onto a 9-inch diameter, 99-inch long, 200-pound UUV, the installation will occur at L3Harris’ Fall River, Massachusetts facility and the system will be tested in San Diego, California by the U.S. Navy. The integration of synthetic aperture sonar on a small diameter UUV is a significant step forward in small class vehicle capability.

“The Northrop Grumman µSAS advanced imaging sonar is a minehunting force multiplier designed specifically for UUVs,” said Alan Lytle, vice president, undersea systems, Northrop Grumman. “This integration will help to deliver a significant increase in the platform’s ability to detect objects on the seafloor and in the water column.”

The Northrop Grumman µSAS™ (pronounced “micro-sas”)

“The Iver4, integrated with µSAS, is a major advancement in small-class UUV capability for the warfighter,” said Daryl Slocum, president and general manager, unmanned maritime systems, L3Harris.

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Northrop Grumman Selected for Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor Phase IIa Program

Mon, 02 Dec 2019 14:00:00 GMT

MCLEAN, Va. – Dec. 2, 2019 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has been selected as one of four Other Transaction Authority awards for the Phase IIa Prototype Payload Design and Signal-chain Processing Demonstration of the Missile Defense Agency’s (MDA) Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (HBTSS) program.

Northrop Grumman is developing a highly capable, affordable, survivable and extensible space-based sensing solution for hypersonic and ballistic missile defense. The company’s concept advances under the HBTSS Phase IIa program (Source: Northrop Grumman).

The 12-month HBTSS Phase IIa will demonstrate the payload design for a proposed satellite constellation to detect and track hypersonic and advanced missile threats. Phase IIa retires technical risk through the demonstration of critical technologies required to track advanced weapons like hypersonic missiles from space.

The award continues Northrop Grumman’s longstanding partnership with the Missile Defense Agency and broader space and missile defense community on solving critical national security challenges. Northrop Grumman will demonstrate its agile and affordable approach to producing space-based sensors in large quantities for proliferated, global operations.

“We are a leading technology company that has for decades been supporting the space and missile defense missions of our government customers,” said Kenneth Todorov, vice president, Missile Defense Solutions, Northrop Grumman. “HBTSS is an important undertaking that allows us to see advanced threats like hypersonic missiles in ways we haven’t been able to before. If you can see the threats, you can take them out.”

“Through the HBTSS program, we’re leveraging our broad base of talent and technology to develop an affordable and extensible solution for this critical component of our nation’s missile defense system.”

Northrop Grumman is building Phase IIa upon the concepts developed in Phase I. Work will be performed at various company locations in the United States.

Northrop Grumman’s end-to-end, multi-domain approach to hypersonic and ballistic missile defense spans technologies in multiple warfighting domains from sea to space, as well as the electromagnetic and cyber environments. To learn more, visit: https://www.northropgrumman.com/Capabilities/MissileDefense/CounterHypersonics/Home.aspx

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 Successfully Tests AQS-24 Deep Tow

Mon, 07 Oct 2019 22:00:00 GMT

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Oct. 7, 2019 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) successfully operated the AQS-24 minehunting sonar at depths greater than 400 feet during system testing off the coast of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

Embarked on the M/V Richard Becker, the Northrop Grumman test team demonstrated reliable AQS-24 system operations with excellent sonar performance at all tested depths, while using the system to classify bottom objects of interest.

“The AQS-24 minehunting system performed superbly at tow depths up to and beyond 400 feet,” said Alan Lytle, vice president, undersea systems, Northrop Grumman. “This latest internal research and development effort underscores our commitment to provide the most innovative, affordable and operationally-proven capabilities to meet the Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Mine Countermeasures Mission (MCM) package requirements and future expeditionary MCM needs.”

Earlier this year, Northrop Grumman demonstrated an autonomy upgrade path for the AQS-24’s minehunting system by integrating and successfully testing the company’s image exploitation suite, incorporating state-of-the-art machine learning for automatic target recognition (ATR) using multiple ATR algorithms. Following this successful demonstration, the U.S. Navy plans to incorporate this new capability into existing AQS-24 minehunting systems.

The AQS-24B minehunter

The success of Deep Tow is now followed by the recently commenced in-water testing of Northrop Grumman’s AQS-24 system on the Navy's MCM unmanned surface vessel (USV) at Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City. This is in preparation for user operated evaluation system testing aboard the LCS in 2020. The AQS-24’s newly doubled depth capability is planned for integration and test with the MCM USV system.

These major enhancements to the U.S. Navy’s only operational mine hunting towed sonar – running deeper, automatically detecting and reporting targets, and providing the transition to the LCS MCM USV – increases the operational effectiveness of the AQS-24 system while providing the warfighter with an unprecedented capability that affordably meets operational needs and provides a proven path for continued integration of state-of-the-art technology.

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Northrop Grumman’s Hemispherical Resonator Gyro Achieves 50 Million Operating Hours in Space

Tue, 06 Aug 2019 13:00:00 GMT

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. – Aug. 6, 2019 – Northrop Grumman Corporation’s (NYSE: NOC) hemispherical resonator gyro (HRG), a sensor known for its unmatched reliability on commercial, government and civil space missions, has reached 50 million operating hours in space without a single mission failure. Aboard more than 200 spacecraft, the company’s HRG technology has contributed to the success of spacecraft and satellites orbiting Earth, and on interplanetary and deep space missions, for almost 25 years.

Northrop Grumman’s HRG provides reliable inertial technology on the Space-Based Infrared System Geosynchronous Earth Orbit satellite.

The HRG is a key element in Northrop Grumman’s Scalable Space Inertial Reference Unit (SSIRU^™), a navigation system providing pointing/stabilization and attitude control. Due to its quartz construction, the HRG is inherently radiation hardened and impervious to aging effects—making it ideal for long missions lasting more than 15 years. Its small size also means it can be featured in multiple spacecraft designs.

“This operational achievement is a testament to the unmatched performance of Northrop Grumman’s HRG technology for strategic and deep space applications,” said Brandon White, vice president, navigation and positioning systems, Northrop Grumman. “The SSIRU featuring the HRG not only has proven its reliability over countless missions, but also provides customers a substantial size, weight and power advantage for critical missions requiring pointing accuracy and platform stability.”

Building on the HRG’s years of proven performance, Northrop Grumman is currently developing the milli-Hemispherical Resonator Gyroscope (mHRG) to be featured in the new LR-450 Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU). The LR-450 will still provide the trusted HRG technology, though it is designed for smaller platforms requiring a lower weight, lower cost solution.

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Northrop Grumman Selected for US Army Stryker Vehicle High Energy Laser Initiative

Fri, 02 Aug 2019 17:30:00 GMT

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Aug. 2, 2019 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has been awarded a contract for the U.S. Army Maneuver Short Range Air Defense (M-SHORAD) directed energy prototyping initiative. The initiative includes integrating a directed energy weapon system on a Stryker vehicle as a pathfinding effort toward the U.S. Army M-SHORAD objective to provide more comprehensive protection of frontline combat units.

Northrop Grumman has been selected to develop and integrate a directed energy prototype solution on a Stryker combat vehicle for the U.S. Army to better protect highly mobile frontline units. The effort will culminate in a competitive performance checkout leading into a range demonstration that informs Maneuver Short Range Air Defense (M-SHORAD) requirements.

“Northrop Grumman is eager to leverage its portfolio of innovative, proven technologies and integration expertise to accelerate delivery of next-generation protection to our maneuver forces,” said Dan Verwiel, vice president and general manager, missile defense and protective systems, Northrop Grumman. “Our flexible, open systems approach offers an end-to-end solution for the Army’s growing and ever-changing mission requirements in today’s complex threat environment.”

Under the initiative from the Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office and a contract from Kord Technologies, Northrop Grumman will build and integrate a suite of advanced sensors; target acquisition and tracking; a 50-kilowatt class laser system; and battle-tested command-and-control on an Army Stryker combat vehicle. The effort will culminate in a competitive performance checkout leading into a range demonstration that informs M-SHORAD requirements.

The directed energy M-SHORAD prototypes are part of the progression of an Army technology maturation initiative known as the Multi-Mission High Energy Laser (MMHEL).

The integrated platform allows early involvement with warfighter users to develop tactics, techniques, procedures and concepts of operations for future high energy laser weapons.

The Army’s future M-SHORAD protection for forward-deployed soldiers includes laser weapon systems as an effective complement to kinetic capabilities in countering rockets, artillery and mortars; unmanned aircraft systems; and other aerial threats.

The M-SHORAD directed energy prototyping initiative is managed by the U.S. Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama.

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Northrop Grumman Receives Award to Upgrade US Army Lightweight Laser Designator Rangefinder Systems

Tue, 09 Jul 2019 13:00:00 GMT

APOPKA, Fla. – July 9, 2019 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has received a $17.6 million award from the U.S. Army to upgrade Target Locator Modules (TLMs). The TLMs will be retrofitted with high accuracy capability to modernize the Lightweight Laser Designator Rangefinder 2H (LLDR 2H) man-portable targeting system.

The Lightweight Laser Designator Rangefinder 2H man-portable targeting device uses a combination of advanced sensors and celestial capability to provide high accuracy targeting at long ranges. U.S. Army photo. The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.

“The LLDR has been at the core of Army ground targeting for more than a decade, and the innovations in the 2H provide even greater accuracy to support the Army’s missions into the future,” said Bob Gough, vice president, land and avionics C4ISR, Northrop Grumman.

The LLDR 2H hybrid sensor solution fuses data from a digital magnetic compass and celestial navigation sensors to provide high accuracy target location and long-range imaging to allow warfighters greater leverage to shape the field of engagement. Interconnectivity within the digitized battlefield enables the operator to use LLDR 2H to quickly acquire, locate and designate high-value targets.

The LLDR 2H system also features Northrop Grumman’s patented thermal diode pumping technology for designation, which consumes less power than older lasers, yet yields greater output energy and lower beam divergence.

More than 2,700 LLDR systems have been delivered and fielded to date.

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Northrop Grumman Successfully Demonstrates LTAMDS Capability to the US Army

Tue, 04 Jun 2019 17:00:00 GMT

BALTIMORE – June 4, 2019 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) demonstrated its in-production, innovative solution for the U.S. Army’s Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor (LTAMDS) program during an open “Sense Off” competition at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico from May 16 – June 1.

Northrop Grumman’s 360-degree coverage, GaN-based LTAMDs capability was successfully demonstrated to the U.S. Army during a two-week Sense Off at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico.

“Our mature, gallium nitride (GaN)-based design demonstrated an advanced system with our current capabilities aligned with the Army’s requirements,” said Christine Harbison, vice president, land and avionics C4ISR division, Northrop Grumman. “Our solution supports the need for rapid deployment with an architecture that allows for significant margin of capability growth to protect our warfighters today and in the rapidly changing threat environment.”

Northrop Grumman’s LTAMDS solution demonstrated a mission capable system with growth potential leveraging advanced, affordable, low-risk, in-production and fielded technologies from across the company’s active electronically scanned array (AESA) portfolio. The system provides a 360-degree full-sector mission capability. Designed from the outset to meet the warfighters’ current and future needs, Northrop Grumman’s LTAMDS solution aligns with the Army’s top requirements, including speed to field. An embedded logistics capability enables quicker and more affordable modernization and better sustainability over the life-cycle of the program.

Northrop Grumman’s LTAMDS solution builds upon the company’s decades of expertise in sea, land, air and space-based military radar technology and high-performance microelectronics. The company’s offering is the latest Northrop Grumman sensor product to incorporate and use GaN high power density radio frequency components for greater performance.

Having successfully completed the demonstration phase, the company will deliver its final LTAMDS proposal to the Army in the coming weeks for evaluation.

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DARPA’s Biological Technology Office Selects Northrop Grumman for Persistent Aquatic Living Sensors (PALS) Program

Thu, 11 Apr 2019 13:00:00 GMT

BALTIMORE – April 11, 2019 – The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Biological Technology Office selected Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) to prototype sensing capabilities using undersea organisms to assist in passively detecting and tracking undersea threats.

As part of the PALS program, Northrop Grumman will develop biological sensing hardware that has increased sensitivity for certain sensor modalities, achieving greater range. Artificial intelligence will be applied to observe patterns in the marine environment to help classify targets. Northrop Grumman is partnered with Coda Octopus (Nasdaq: CODA), Duke University, University of Maryland, Baltimore County and the University of Memphis.

“The detection, classification and tracking of undersea objects is a critical military capability and we are excited to work with DARPA to develop this next generation approach,” said Mike Meaney, vice president, advanced missions, Northrop Grumman.

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Northrop Grumman Developing the Next Generation of Radar Warning Receivers for the Army

Mon, 04 Mar 2019 14:00:00 GMT

ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill. – March 4, 2019 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has received an award from the U.S. Army to develop the AN/APR-39E(V)2, the next generation of radar threat warning sensors.

Sophisticated radio frequency-guided weapons are becoming more widely used throughout the world, posing a new threat to aviators in contested airspace. Protecting aircrews from this new generation of highly mobile anti-aircraft weapons requires the ability to track a broader variety of threats across a wider spectral range.

The AN/APR-39E(V)2, previously known as the Modernized Radar Warning Receiver, will provide a new level of precision in detecting, locating and identifying threats by combining Northrop Grumman’s digital receiver exciter (DRE) architecture with novel digital signal processing algorithms.

The DRE architecture is also employed on the AN/APR-39D(V)2 radar warning receiver and other electronic warfare systems, allowing for more rapid updates to stay ahead of the threat.

“The AN/APR-39E(V)2 will see more threats, including millimeter wave radars, at greater range. That advanced level of protection is critical to our customers’ mission success,” said Brent Toland, vice president, land and avionics C4ISR, Northrop Grumman.

Northrop Grumman electronic warfare systems are currently protecting thousands of aircraft worldwide.

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Northrop Grumman Delivers 200,000th DSU-33 Proximity Sensor

Thu, 28 Feb 2019 14:00:00 GMT

ROCKET CENTER, W.Va. – Feb. 28, 2019 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) marked a significant milestone recently with the delivery of its 200,000th DSU-33 Proximity Sensor, a technology which provides air-burst detonation of general purpose bombs for United States and allied airmen who rely on it as a force multiplier in combat.

The company recently delivered its 200,000th DSU-33 proximity sensor which provides air-burst detonation of general purpose bombs used by U.S. and allied airmen.

Initial production of the DSU-33B/B configuration began in 2000 and the product has evolved to the present DSU-33D/B configuration. Throughout its 18-year production history, an integrated product team, including representatives from government and industry, has ensured the sensor has remained effective for U.S. and allied warfighters’ needs today and well into the future. DSU-33 Proximity Sensors have been used by the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, and multiple allied nations. They are currently being procured by the U.S. Army on behalf of the U.S. Air Force and foreign military users.

“The DSU-33 program illustrates collaboration and success in fielding what is truly a joint product,” said Pat Nolan, vice president, missile products, Northrop Grumman. “This level of teamwork exemplifies how we can significantly improve quality, reliability and capability, while simultaneously reducing the warfighter cost throughout the life of the program.”

Recently, members of the integrated program team including leadership from the U.S. Army’s Joint Program Executive Office for Armaments and Ammunition and the U.S. Air Force Materiel Command, visited Northrop Grumman’s Allegany Ballistics Laboratory to celebrate the milestone with past and present employees working on the program.

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Northrop Grumman Showcases Vehicle Active Protection System for the US Army

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 16:00:00 GMT

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Jan. 15, 2019 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) demonstrated advanced Vehicle Active Protection System technologies against Anti-Tank Guided Munitions during the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research Development Engineering Center (TARDEC) sponsored Soft-kill Rodeo in Huntsville on Oct. 5-31. The month-long government sponsored “rodeo” was developed to demonstrate and test soft-kill capability against real world threats.

M1A1 Abrams tank in live-fire range

Using its Passive Infrared Cueing Sensors system, Northrop Grumman successfully generated threat warning of inbound ATGMs and provided a cue for the soft kill countermeasure system (SKCM).

The Northrop Grumman SKCM system, known as the Multifunction Electro-Optical System (MEOS), successfully countered the ATGM and defeated it in real-time. The MEOS identified and countered all types of threats fired at its APS system, making this the fourth consecutive time the system has performed well in field tests to defeat threats.

“This solution is an example of leveraging significant investment in aircraft protection to rapidly provide similar capabilities to ground vehicles,” said Mike Meaney, vice president, advanced missions, Northrop Grumman. “We look forward to working with the Army to deploy an affordable end-to-end Vehicle APS system that can defeat a variety of anti-tank guided munitions.”

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Northrop Grumman Showcases Autonomous Maritime Capabilities at U.S. Navy’s Advanced Naval Technology Exercise

Wed, 19 Sep 2018 14:00:00 GMT

NEWPORT, R.I. – Sept. 19, 2018 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) in collaboration with industry partners participated in the U.S. Navy’s Advanced Naval Technology Exercise (ANTX) last month in Newport, Rhode Island. The company demonstrated advanced capabilities in the command and control of future unmanned maritime missions and the ability to more effectively deliver critical information to the warfighter in contested environments.

Northrop Grumman’s Fire Scout autonomous surrogate launches a sonobuoy as part the 2018 Advanced Naval Training Exercise in Newport, Rhode Island.

“Northrop Grumman’s expertise in networked sensors and advanced mission management for autonomous aircraft systems provides significant offensive and defensive capabilities for our customers in the maritime environment,” said Dan Redman, ANTX program manager, Northrop Grumman. “By showcasing how sensors can be airdropped from a Fire Scout surrogate, we are demonstrating future mission applications for this platform.”

Northrop Grumman’s seabed warfare capabilities were also highlighted at this year’s exercise. A central part of this demonstration was Northrop Grumman’s µSAS and real-time automated target recognition technologies. The µSAS is a low size, weight and power, high-performance payload that can operate off a man-portable autonomous underwater vehicle for real-time classification of mine-like objects.

“This technology is an example of leveraging digital transformation to rapidly provide software defined, hardware enabled capabilities to the fleet,” said Alan Lytle, vice president, undersea systems, Northrop Grumman. “Integration of unmanned and autonomous capabilities into the battle space reduces staffing required to conduct operations and risk to personnel, while supporting our nation’s continued undersea superiority.”

Low-SWAP, Information Assurance/Anti-Tamper Enabled, High-Performance, Interferometric Synthetic Aperture SONAR for Micro-UUVs

The three-day annual exercise was developed to demonstrate future Navy technologies in a collaborative, low-risk environment. Government, academia and industry participants gathered to showcase new capabilities to push the boundaries of what is possible in a complex environment. Northrop Grumman was partnered in the exercise with Physical Optics Corp, Ultra Electronics USSI, Hydroid, Optimum Solutions and Silvus.

Additional Notes for Defense Trade Reporters and Editors:

Northrop Grumman’s seabed warfare capabilities and multi-domain unmanned system integration were highlighted at the demonstration. These included advanced mission management, which enables centralized collaborative mission execution and control using multiple unmanned undersea vehicles (UUV) and unmanned surface vehicles as well as a Fire Scout surrogate unmanned aerial vehicle. The demonstration featured subsurface to above surface communications with cross-domain status, detection and tracking.

The exercise also highlighted the benefits of an open architecture approach, showcasing the ability to rapidly integrate multiple capabilities into a relevant mission scenario. Mission planning, control and monitoring will be achieved via a remote tactical operations center and from Northrop Grumman’s maritime operations center.

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Northrop Grumman Successfully Completes Critical Design Review for the US Navy WSN-12 Inertial Sensor Module

Wed, 05 Sep 2018 14:00:00 GMT

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Sept. 5, 2018 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has successfully completed the Critical Design Review (CDR) phase of the U.S. Navy’s WSN-12 Inertial Sensor Module and will begin production of ten pre-production units.

The U.S. Navy WSN-12 Inertial Navigator will be used on the Virginia Submarines and on the Arleigh-Burke class destroyers, as well as a host of other ships. (Image courtesy U.S. Navy)

The WSN-12 is poised to become the primary shipboard inertial navigation system for most U.S. combatant vessels and will be installed on all vessels of the DDG, CG, CVN and SSN classes. The system brings new technology and improved accuracy to these platforms. The Inertial Sensor Module is a primary subsystem of the WSN-12, and includes the inertial sensors, electromechanical equipment supporting them and software to compute the navigation solution. The shipboard inertial navigation system measures, computes and distributes navigation data to all users, including attitude, velocity and position information.

“Northrop Grumman has met or exceeded objectives in all aspects of the sensor design and was able to demonstrate performance in the testing of the engineering development models,” said Captain Jon Garcia, NAVSEA IWS6.0.“We are looking forward to successful integration testing this year and receiving the sensor pre-production units next year.”

“Completion of this CDR keeps this program on track to deliver exceptional navigation accuracy to the fleet,” said Todd Leavitt, vice president, maritime systems, Northrop Grumman. “The WSN-12 Inertial Sensor Module provides technology that enables improvements to navigation accuracy and reliability, benefiting all systems that depend upon it.”

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Northrop Grumman Incorporates Data Collected from AQS-24B to SeeTrack System to Create Enhanced Minehunting Capability

Thu, 28 Jun 2018 07:00:00 GMT

LONDON – June 28, 2018 - Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC) and SeeByte are collaborating to incorporate AQS-24B mine hunting sensor data into the SeeTrack system to enhance its Autonomous Target Recognition (ATR) capability.

The AQS24-B minehunter and console.

The AQS-24B scans the ocean floor at a speed of 18 knots, which is nearly twice as much as any other operational towed minehunting device in the world. It utilizes a high-resolution, side scan sonar for real time detection, localization, and classification of mines at high coverage rates and a laser line scanner to provide precision optical identification. The AQS series minehunter is used globally and has logged thousands of hours of operation.

“The merging of the unmanned surface vessel-based AQS-24B with the SeeByte ATR will provide international navies with a better probability of detection and classification of bottom mines than is currently possible with an operator-only system," said Alan Lytle, vice president, undersea systems, Northrop Grumman.

Northrop Grumman and SeeByte began their collaboration over a year ago and will be ready to demonstrate an initial release of this new capability during the Australian Navy's planned Autonomous Warrior 18 exercise in Jervis Bay, Sydney, NSW in November.

"This will be the first ATR in existence directly supporting the highest-speed synthetic aperture sonar in the world, and marks a true advancement in the state of the art for such capabilities," said Bob Black, CEO of SeeByte.

The product of this collaboration will be available for upcoming new mine countermeasures ship and payload programs across Europe, the Middle East and Pacific Rim.

SeeByte provides clients in the military and oil and gas sectors with advanced software to enhance the capabilities of their underwater sensors, vehicles, and systems. SeeByte partners with leading hardware manufacturers to provide enhanced capabilities for its sensors and systems to provide cues to enhance the warfighter's ability to find undersea explosives.

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.

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Northrop Grumman to Supply Space Navigation System to Space Systems Loral

Thu, 01 Mar 2018 18:30:00 GMT

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. – March 1, 2018 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has been awarded a contract from Space Systems Loral (SSL) to supply its space navigation system for a next-generation satellite constellation.

Northrop Grumman has been awarded a contract from Space Systems Loral to supply its space navigation system for a next-generation satellite constellation.

Northrop Grumman will deliver its Scalable Space Inertial Reference Unit (Scalable SIRU^™) to SSL, to enable spacecraft attitude control and sensor pointing/stabilization.

“Our Scalable SIRU is very well-suited for commercial satellite applications,” said Dean Ebert, vice president, navigation and positioning systems, Northrop Grumman Mission Systems. “We are committed to offering our customers a variety of options to meet their specific mission needs through our versatile Scalable SIRU family of products.”

Northrop Grumman’s Scalable SIRU is the industry standard for high-precision, long-life attitude control solutions supporting commercial, government and civil space missions. The Scalable SIRU has proven its performance during numerous space missions, including NASA’s MESSENGER mission to orbit Mercury and Cassini’s journey to Saturn. At the heart of the Scalable SIRU is Northrop Grumman’s patented hemispherical resonator gyro, which has been used in space without a mission failure for more than 40 million operating hours.

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 www.news.northropgrumman.com and follow us on Twitter, @NGCNews, for more information.

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Northrop Grumman’s Advanced Electromagnetic Maneuver Warfare Capabilities Showcased at Association of Old Crows Symposium

Mon, 04 Dec 2017 17:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON D.C. – Dec. 4, 2017 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) recently showcased two milestones in the development of advanced electromagnetic maneuver warfare capabilities during the 54th Annual Association of Old Crows (AOC) International Symposium and Convention. The symposium, themed “Innovation and Change in Electromagnetic Warfare,” took place in Washington, D.C., Nov. 28-30.

At the symposium, Northrop Grumman showcased its Multifunction Transceiver (MFX^™) and direct radio frequency (RF) technology. MFX^™and RF offer unique approaches through sampling and synthesis that enable a variety of RF-enabled mission solutions. These mission enablers form part of the technological foundation of forthcoming advanced integrated mission systems.

MFX^™ is an advanced programmable receiver, exciter, signal processor and waveform generator that enables multifunction applications through scalable choices of operating frequencies, bandwidths and channels. Its inclusion in the RF chain allows for integrated capabilities in domains such as electronic warfare (EW), communications, signals intelligence (SIGINT) and radar. Northrop Grumman recently demonstrated these unique capabilities at the U.S. Pacific Command’s 2017 Northern Edge Combat Exercise. The MFX^™ enabled electronic attack/electronic support measure (EA/ESM) subsystem is just one of ten next-generation air warfare capabilities Northrop Grumman successfully demonstrated during the exercise. Attendees at AOC had the opportunity to see MFX^™ and its concept for utilization in advanced mission systems.

Complementing the capabilities of MFX^™, Northrop Grumman’s development of novel analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters enables direct RF sampling and synthesis. RF sampling and synthesis plays an important role in eliminating the need for bulky analog front-end components and substantially reducing the size, weight and power of future mission payloads while simultaneously improving system level performance.

These direct digital conversion components were recently integrated and tested on an advanced prototype multifunction system, demonstrating the ability to support disparate mission needs including EW, communications, SIGINT, and radar - and proving the feasibility and operational benefits of this integrated electromagnetic maneuver warfare system approach.

Both MFX™ and the multifunction prototype contribute to the development of next generation electromagnetic maneuver warfare capabilities that cross traditional system design and operational boundaries, creating a decisive advantage and helping to protect the warfighter.

The digital transformation is enabling a paradigm shift in military electronics. Northrop Grumman is embracing this by developing software defined, hardware enabled multifunction systems.

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Northrop Grumman to Highlight Leading Global Security Capabilities at Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition 2017

Sun, 15 Oct 2017 22:00:00 GMT

Seoul ADEX 2017 to be held at Seoul Airport, Oct. 17-22

Northrop Grumman to exhibit in booth A61

FALLS CHURCH, Va. – Oct. 15, 2017 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) will highlight its advanced global security capabilities at the Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition 2017 (Seoul ADEX 2017) in South Korea.

A media kit accompanying this release is available at: http://www.northropgrumman.com/MediaResources/MediaKits/ADEX/

Dedicated to innovation and delivering a decisive advantage to modern warfighters, Northrop Grumman offers groundbreaking options for autonomous systems, C4ISR, logistics, and multi-generation fighter interoperability and communications. In addition to product displays, company representatives and subject matter experts will be available to engage the media on these topics.

Northrop Grumman’s Global Hawk and Fire Scout aircraft provide a powerful combination of autonomous systems with the capacity to advance South Korea’s Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities while protecting regional interests and national security. Northrop Grumman’s Global Hawk autonomous high altitude long endurance system supports intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and environmental research operations around the globe. The MQ-8C Fire Scout is the Navy’s next generation autonomous helicopter. Fire Scout has the ability to take-off and land on any aviation-capable ship and from prepared and unprepared landing zones. Fire Scout is actively deployed with the United States Navy providing enhanced maritime surveillance and persistent targeting capabilities.

The company provides superior C4ISR capability, battlefield awareness and situational understanding through manned and unmanned platforms integrated by new, open architecture C4 systems, including Integrated Battle Management Systems (IBMS) and Remote Unmanned Ground Vehicles like Andros FX. IBMS are scalable from strategic to tactical, while supporting communications with joint and coalition forces. The Andros FX provides unmatched capabilities to defeat many threats, including vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices.

Northrop Grumman’s logistics sustainment and modernization solutions improve lifecycle affordability and have the potential to increase mission readiness for the Republic of Korea. Options include: UH-60 Black Hawk rotary wing avionics upgrades / Improved Multiple Ejector Rack and C-130 Infrared Countermeasure (IRCM) upgrades. Northrop Grumman is the premiere digital cockpit supplier and integrator for UH-60V upgrade programs, which extend life and mission capabilities. The IRCM system equips C-130 aircraft with the ability to detect and defeat heat-seeking missiles, including surface-to-air missiles.

The company provides airborne gateways for enhanced communications and greater situational awareness, with products like the Freedom 550^TM software-defined radio and APG-81 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar. The Freedom 550 bridges the gap between multiple platforms using different data links, allowing fifth-generation aircraft to share tactical data securely with each other and with fourth-generation aircraft in the fleet. The APG-81 AESA radar enables pilots to effectively engage air and ground targets at long range, while also providing outstanding situational awareness for enhanced survivability and combat effectiveness.

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Northrop Grumman, US Army Successfully Complete Integrated Air and Missile Defense Test at Fort Bliss

Mon, 09 Oct 2017 11:00:00 GMT

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Oct. 9, 2017 – U.S. Army soldiers have successfully completed a major developmental test of the Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC)-developed Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) Battle Command System (IBCS), a cornerstone capability of the Army IAMD program.

The test, referred to as a Soldier Checkout Event (SCOE) with soldiers from Fort Bliss, Texas, and Fort Sill, Oklahoma, took place at Tobin Wells in Fort Bliss over three weeks in August. Air defenders used IBCS as the common command-and-control (C2) across battalion and battery-level operations using Sentinel and Patriot radars and Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC)-2, PAC-3 and PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement interceptors to fight 26 simulated air battles against hundreds of tactical ballistic missile threats. The SCOE concluded with a 72-hour endurance run of the system that included 18 additional air battles.

“Our flight tests in 2015 and 2016 proved the system could do what was previously thought to be undoable – that IBCS could provide the C2 for sensors and weapon systems never intended to work with each other,” said Dan Verwiel, vice president and general manager, missile defense and protective systems, Northrop Grumman. “The lessons learned from last year’s Limited User Test (LUT) have resulted in a substantially improved system. By all indications, IBCS performed exceedingly well; software deficiencies identified during the past LUT have been resolved.”

“This SCOE is an enterprise-level integration and test of IBCS and Army IAMD assets and capabilities with soldier operators,” said Barry Pike, Program Executive Officer, Missiles and Space, U.S. Army. “The event allows air defense warfighters the unprecedented opportunity to provide relevant system performance and interface feedback when the system is integrated with actual tactical hardware and software.”

Brig. Gen. Randall McIntire, commandant, Army Air Defense Artillery School, and chief, Air Defense Artillery, said, “I am very pleased with the significant progress made on IBCS over the last year. It is going to open up the aperture in terms of how we will be able to fight in the future. What we are working on today will be key for decades to come in our ability to combine offensive and defensive fires into one entity that is fast and agile.”

The SCOE was also a rigorous test for IBCS ease of use since soldiers who have never used the system before received only four weeks of training on the system prior to the start of the event. Even with simultaneous targets reaching hundreds during some of the air battles, the soldiers performed exceptionally well.

“We know we need this capability and we are going to be able to fight with the system. I think we are going to see exponential growth and progress in the future,” said McIntire.

In October, IBCS and Army IAMD will undergo the second phase of the SCOE at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, to look at live-air operational performance in a joint environment.

Foundational to IAMD transformation and key to the Army IAMD portfolio, the IBCS is managed by the IAMD Project Office, Program Executive Office for Missiles and Space, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama.

IBCS replaces stove-piped legacy C2 systems to deliver a single integrated air picture and offer the flexibility to deploy smaller force packages. By integrating sensors and interceptors, IBCS provides wider area surveillance and broader protection areas. With its truly open systems architecture, IBCS enables incorporation of current and future sensors and weapon systems and interoperability with joint C2 and the ballistic missile defense system.

U.S. Army air defenders fight simulated air battles inside an Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System (IBCS) engagement operations center.

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Northrop Grumman to Feature Global Security Advances at Pacific 2017 in Sydney, Australia

Sun, 01 Oct 2017 21:00:00 GMT

FALLS CHURCH, Va. – Oct. 1, 2017 — Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) will highlight its advanced global security capabilities at the Pacific International Maritime Exposition 2017, Oct. 3-5 in Sydney, Australia.

A media kit accompanying this release is available at: http://www.northropgrumman.com/MediaResources/MediaKits/Pacific/

Committed to assisting the fully-integrated joint Australian Defence Force, Northrop Grumman's portfolio of advanced maritime systems operates across the full spectrum of modern naval operations, including maritime domain awareness, C4ISR, resilient networked operations, broad area surveillance, unmanned aircraft systems for maritime and coastal surveillance, radar and mine detection systems, and precision marine navigation. In addition to product displays, company representatives and subject matter experts will be available to engage the media on these topics.

"Northrop Grumman is providing innovative solutions for Australia’s defence and national security needs now and in the future," said Ian Irving, chief executive, Northrop Grumman Australia. "Northrop Grumman continues to invest in local capabilities as part of our commitment to growing indigenous Australian skills and capabilities.”

Northrop Grumman's unmanned mine detection, classification and identification will be displayed at the show, including a full-scale model of the AQS-24B high-speed synthetic aperture sonar-based mine-hunting system. The AQS-24B and its predecessor systems, the AQS-24A and the AQS-14, are the only operational high-speed mine-hunting search systems used by the U.S. Navy for the past 33 years.

The company will also demonstrate its advanced command-and-control capability that leverages fifth-generation sensors, data links, networks and decades of experience pioneering interoperable systems to provide joint and coalition forces with an integrated 'common operational picture.' The greater ability to collect, integrate and disperse these intelligence products is driving a global trend toward a more information intensive style of warfare, and the adoption of a network centric concept of operations by many advanced armed forces, including the Australian Defence Force.

Northrop Grumman's airborne surveillance capability will also be presented. The MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft system can provide a continuous on-station presence for some of the nation’s most demanding surveillance missions. The Australian Government plans to acquire the Triton capability.

The MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned helicopter uses a larger airframe than the previous MQ-8B variant to deliver more range, payload capacity and endurance to naval forces. Fire Scout can land and take off from any aviation-capable naval ship. Fire Scout has been actively deployed by the United States Navy to enhance its maritime surveillance and patrol capabilities and could provide a substantial increase in capability for the Royal Australian Navy and other regional partners.

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MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft system

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