Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman Completes Successful First Flight of Japan’s RQ-4B Global Hawk

Fri, 16 Apr 2021 14:38:00 GMT

SAN DIEGO – April 16, 2021 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) successfully completed the first flight of Japan’s RQ-4B Global Hawk on April 15, 2021 from Palmdale, California. With an unmatched combination of range, endurance, and payload capability, Global Hawk is the only platform that provides greater data collection flexibility than space or medium-altitude assets.

Northrop Grumman Completes Successful First Flight of Japan’s RQ-4B Global Hawk

“The unarmed RQ-4B Global Hawk will provide Japan with on-demand intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance information supporting the Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s missions of protecting borders, monitoring threats and providing humanitarian assistance in times of need,” said Jane Bishop, vice president and general manager, autonomous systems, Northrop Grumman. “This successful first flight is a significant milestone in delivering Global Hawk to our Japanese allies.”

Global Hawk is the only high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned air vehicle (UAV) to deliver near real-time on demand data around the clock. Once fielded, Global Hawk will integrate with other Japanese intelligence assets, including ground-based command and control units. The capability will provide solutions to monitor and deter regional threats to ensure Japan has a highly effective national security posture well into the future.

Northrop Grumman’s family of autonomous HALE systems, including Global Hawk, are a critical component of networked, global ISR collection for allied nations and mutual defense organizations around the world. Global Hawk collects ISR data that enables decision makers to act with the right information at the right time. When Japan’s Global Hawk fleet is fully operational, it will be part of a growing list of allied nations operating high-altitude long-endurance UAV. The United States, Australia, NATO and Korea will all be operating versions of this vital national surveillance asset.

Northrop Grumman solves the toughest problems in space, aeronautics, defense and cyberspace to meet the ever-evolving needs of our customers worldwide. Our 97,000 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 and Intelsat Make History with Docking of Second Mission Extension Vehicle to Extend Life of Satellite

Mon, 12 Apr 2021 19:00:00 GMT

DULLES, Va. – April 12, 2021 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) and the company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, SpaceLogistics LLC, have successfully completed the docking of the Mission Extension Vehicle-2 (MEV-2) to the Intelsat 10-02 (IS-10-02) commercial communications satellite to deliver life-extension services. The docking was completed at 1:34 p.m. EDT.

Northrop Grumman is the only provider of flight-proven life extension services for satellites, and this is the second time the company has docked two commercial spacecraft in orbit. The company’s MEV-1 made history when it successfully docked to the Intelsat 901 (IS-901) satellite in February 2020. Unlike MEV-1, which docked above the GEO orbit before moving IS-901 back into service, MEV-2 docked with IS-10-02 directly in its operational GEO orbital location.

“Today’s successful docking of our second Mission Extension Vehicle further demonstrates the reliability, safety and utility of in-space logistics,” said Tom Wilson, vice president, strategic space systems, Northrop Grumman and president, SpaceLogistics LLC. “The success of this mission paves the way for our second generation of servicing satellites and robotics, offering flexibility and resiliency for both commercial and government satellite operators, which can enable entirely new classes of missions.”

An image of Intelsat 10-02 taken by MEV-2’s infrared wide field of view camera at 15m away.

Under the terms of Intelsat’s satellite life-extension servicing contract, MEV-2 will provide five years of service to IS-10-02 before undocking and moving on to provide services for a new mission.

“Intelsat has pioneered innovations in space-based technology for more than five decades. We are proud to work side by side with Northrop Grumman on today’s groundbreaking mission, the first-ever docking of a communications satellite in GEO orbit,” said Intelsat Chief Services Officer Mike DeMarco. “Space servicing is a valuable tool for Intelsat in extending the high-quality service experience that our customers depend upon. Northrop Grumman’s MEV technology has helped us extend the life of two otherwise healthy and high-performing satellites, while focusing our innovation capital on advancing the Intelsat next-generation network – this technology is a ‘win-win’ for us.”

The Mission Extension Vehicle is the first in Northrop Grumman’s lineup of satellite servicing vehicles, but following last year’s robotic servicing mission award from DARPA, the company is working with the agency on a mission that will feature the first-ever commercial robotic servicing spacecraft. This mission will expand the market for satellite servicing of both commercial and government client satellites with advanced robotics using the company’s Mission Robotic Vehicle (MRV) to conduct in-orbit repair, augmentation, assembly, detailed inspection and relocation of client satellites through robotics.

To further complement its on-orbit servicing portfolio, Northrop Grumman is leveraging model based systems engineering to develop its Mission Extension Pods (MEPs) which will also provide critical life extension services to aging satellites. The MRV will be used to install these pods on existing in-orbit commercial and government client satellites to extend their mission lives. The company is targeting 2024 for launch of both the MRV and the initial MEPs.

B-roll and animation footage for the mission can be found here. Photos for the mission can be found here.

About Intelsat

As the foundational architects of satellite technology, Intelsat operates the world’s largest and most advanced satellite fleet and connectivity infrastructure. We apply our unparalleled expertise and global scale to connect people, businesses, and communities, no matter how difficult the challenge. Intelsat is uniquely positioned to help our customers turn possibilities into reality – transformation happens when businesses, governments, and communities use Intelsat’s next-generation global network and managed services to build their connected future.

About Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman solves the toughest problems in space, aeronautics, defense and cyberspace to meet the ever evolving needs of our customers worldwide. Our 97,000 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 Adds Infrared Countermeasures Systems Work

Mon, 12 Apr 2021 13:00:00 GMT

ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill. – April 12, 2021 – The U.S. Navy recently awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) a $115 million production contract for U.S. Department of the Navy’s Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (DoN LAIRCM) systems. Northrop Grumman was also awarded additional contracts recently including integration, sustainment and support of the DoN LAIRCM systems.

Northrop Grumman’s DoN LAIRCM system combines an advanced infrared missile warning system and directed laser countermeasures to defeat surface-to-air missiles. Image courtesy of the U.S. Department of Defense. Photo taken by PO3 Walter Estrada The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.

Northrop Grumman will integrate the latest version of the DoN LAIRCM system onto U.S. aircraft. The DoN LAIRCM is currently in service on both rotary and fixed wing aircraft. Additionally, Northrop Grumman will install DoN LAIRCM systems on aircraft owned by allied governments.

“The DoN LAIRCM award signifies Naval Air System Command’s continued confidence in Northrop Grumman’s 50 years of expertise in missile warning and infrared countermeasures systems,” said Bob Gough, vice president, navigation, targeting and survivability, Northrop Grumman. “We remain fully committed to delivering this life-saving capability to our warfighters.”

Under this latest task order, Northrop Grumman will continue to provide support and maintenance for the battle-proven DoN LAIRCM systems that are currently installed on U.S. military aircraft. One of the most advanced aircraft survivability equipment available, Northrop Grumman's LAIRCM system provides maximum aircraft and aircrew survivability. The DoN LAIRCM system defends aircraft against surface-to-air infrared missile threats. The system automatically counters advanced infrared missile systems by detecting, tracking and jamming the threat with a high-intensity laser beam.

Northrop Grumman’s Infrared Countermeasures (IRCM) systems are installed on more than 1,500 aircraft of more than 80 different platform types worldwide and are the frontline defense system for U.S. Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine Corps platforms.

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Boeing Defence Australia and Northrop Grumman Australia Join Forces for JP9347

Fri, 09 Apr 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Boeing Defence Australia (BDA) and Northrop Grumman Australia have partnered to develop a solution for the Joint Interface Control System, the first capability element of JP9347 – the Commonwealth of Australia’s Joint Data Network Program.

Using the Joint Interface Control system, defence operators will be able to integrate data coming in from multiple and independent secure networks to create a single operational view for improved situational awareness.

The companies’ solution will integrate proven products from both partners to create a sovereign and uniquely Australian system that will evolve to meet the ever-increasing data and coordination needs of the Australian Defence Force.

“The team offers operationally proven, mission capable communication and Tactical Data Link products,” says Boeing Defense, Space and Security’s director of Global Sales & Marketing for Australia and New Zealand, Dale McDowall. “This product offering is combined with extensive in-country systems design and development experience to deliver the foundation for a resilient and sovereign-controlled JDN.”

From the state-of-the-art battlespace management capability system, Wakulda, to the deployable, multi-bearer Currawong battlespace communication system, BDA has a demonstrated pedigree for in-country development and delivery of both hardware and software solutions for complex, sovereign communications networks.

For 60 years, Northrop Grumman has been a leader in the design, development and delivery of end-to-end communications and advanced networking capabilities for U.S. and allied military forces. Northrop Grumman Australia is building on the company’s proven track record of success by delivering Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control offerings and leading sovereign communications and network management technologies.

“This partnership brings to bear the best of companies’ technology, talent and expertise in network communications and gateway systems to ensure the ADF maintains the required strategic advantage in an age of data-driven warfare,” said Andrew Pryor, director of business development, Northrop Grumman Australia. “We stand ready to meet the JP9347 mission needs of the ADF today and in the future.”

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Northrop Grumman and US Air Force Collaborate to Meet Integrated Baseline Review Milestone

Wed, 07 Apr 2021 13:00:00 GMT

ROY, Utah – April 7, 2021 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) successfully conducted the Integrated Baseline Review (IBR) for the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) program, a critical milestone that sets the performance measurement baseline and keeps the program on track for IOC by 2029.

“Meeting our GBSD commitments is paramount,” said Greg Manuel, vice president and general manager, strategic deterrent systems division, Northrop Grumman. “Our team remains focused on delivering a modern strategic deterrent capability to keep pace with 21st century threats.”

IBR occurs within the first 180 days of contract award to set cost and schedule baseline, identify and quantify risks, and ensure mitigation plans are in place when executing the program. Early in the review, Northrop Grumman and the Air Force collaborated to develop a common understanding about the project’s baseline as it relates to technical, schedule, cost, resource, and management process risks and their impacts.

“Given the sheer size and importance of schedule integration, we had to be agile in meeting this critical milestone, there is no margin for delay,” said Steve Lunny, vice president, GBSD program, Northrop Grumman. “Early-on, we worked with the Air Force, shoulder-to-shoulder in a virtual setting, to engage at a deeper level and share critical insights throughout IBR to mitigate risks, arrive at a common baseline, and ultimately save time.”

Northrop Grumman was awarded the GBSD EMD contract in September 2020 to begin modernizing the nation’s aging intercontinental ballistic missile system. The EMD phase includes full system design, qualification, test and evaluation, and nuclear certification. Upon successful completion of EMD, the Northrop Grumman team will begin producing and delivering a modern and fully integrated ICBM system to meet the Air Force’s schedule of initial operational capability by 2029.

The GBSD program has also earned the e-Series designation by the U.S. Air Force, meaning the program has leveraged digital engineering principles to model and authenticate virtual designs and significantly shorten development timelines.

Northrop Grumman is leading a nationwide team that includes Aerojet Rocketdyne, Bechtel, Clark, Collins Aerospace, General Dynamics, Honeywell, Kratos Defense and Security Solutions, L3 Harris, Lockheed Martin, Textron Systems, as well as hundreds of small and medium-sized companies from across the defense, engineering and construction industries. Overall, the GBSD program will involve over 10,000 people across the U.S. directly working on this vital national security program. For more information, please visit: www.northropgrumman.com/gbsd.

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Northrop Grumman’s Optionally-Manned Firebird Demonstrates Operational Flexibility

Tue, 06 Apr 2021 13:00:00 GMT

SAN DIEGO – April 6, 2021 – Northrop Grumman Corporation’s (NYSE: NOC) Firebird multi-sensor aircraft showcased the versatility of the optionally-manned autonomous system as it flew to various locations across the United States last month. The ability of Firebird to be flown manned through national airspace is a demonstration of its unique operational flexibility for self-deployment and its rapid relocation ability to adapt to specific user needs and operational requirements.

The company flew Firebird almost 9,000 miles around the US with stops in Dayton, Ohio; Washington DC; Patuxent River, Maryland; as well as Tampa, Miami and Key West, Florida.

“Our flights showcased one of its key differentiators – the ability to position the system in a manned configuration, then convert to autonomous operations for persistent ISR in under two hours,” said Jane Bishop, vice president and general manager, autonomous systems, Northrop Grumman. “At each stop, plane-side briefings provided customers the opportunity to see first-hand the operational versatility of the platform, its large sensor bay, and rapid configurability for changing mission needs.”

Firebird is a medium altitude long endurance unmanned aircraft system (UAS) that is designed for flexibility and affordability. Customers can install new payloads in as little as one day, and swap payloads in 30 minutes making the system suitable for numerous domains and missions.

The Firebird multi-sensor aircraft prepares for its multi stop demonstration tour.

The flights concluded in Key West, Florida where the team conducted a series of manned maritime operational events that included a four-sensor package containing two high-definition EO/IR sensors; a maritime configured multi-spectral sensor for small target detection; and an AIS receiver.

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Northrop Grumman Sponsors Young Falcons of Korea Education Program for Future Aerospace Leaders

Wed, 31 Mar 2021 22:00:00 GMT

SEOUL – April 1, 2021 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) and the Young Falcons of Korea (YFK) will host the ‘Future Aerospace Leaders Club of Nation (FALCON) Course’ for future Korean leaders in the aerospace field.

Sponsored by Northrop Grumman, Republic of Korea (ROK) Air Force, Korea Aerospace Industries and hosted by YFK, the eight-month course is designed to offer career exploration and discover future talents in the aerospace industry. Held from April to November, these future Korean aerospace leaders will experience future science and technology first-hand.

“Northrop Grumman is committed to supporting opportunities for career exploration and experiences for Korean students who dream of a future in STEM fields,” said Dong Ha, chief executive, Northrop Grumman South Korea. “We sponsor this program to provide Korean youth with an opportunity to learn and experience first-hand what a future career in aerospace may entail.”

The course will offer a variety of activities including aerospace experimental classes and career exploration camps to middle school students. The students will have the opportunity to meet with air force pilots, tour aerospace facilities and participate in a variety of aerospace-industry events throughout the duration of the program.

"This program was launched to provide opportunities for students interested in the aerospace field to learn and gain experiences,” said Myung-hee Lee, secretary general of YFK. “We will continue to do our best for the youth who will grow into the next generation of talent along with the domestic aerospace industry that is taking huge strides forward.”

With an office in Seoul for almost 30 years, Northrop Grumman has a long-standing partnership and commitment to South Korea and the ROK’s Ministry of National Defense. In addition to the ‘Future Aerospace Leaders Club of Nation (FALCON) Course,’ the company also participates in annual STEM initiatives for South Korean youth.

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Northrop Grumman-Led Team Selected by the Missile Defense Agency for Next Generation Interceptor Program

Tue, 23 Mar 2021 23:15:00 GMT

FALLS CHURCH, Va. – March 23, 2021 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has been awarded a contract by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) for the Next Generation Interceptor (NGI) program. The contract is for the rapid development and flight test of an interceptor designed to defend the nation against the most complex long-range threats. Northrop Grumman has strategically teamed with Raytheon Missiles & Defense, a business of Raytheon Technologies (NYSE: RTX), to bring together the vast experience of the two companies on one team, to deliver an effective solution for MDA on an accelerated schedule.

The NGI program is an element of the MDA’s Ground-based Midcourse Defense System (GMD) which is the primary U.S. missile defense system used to defend the country from long-range ballistic missile attacks. Northrop Grumman and Raytheon Missiles & Defense currently provide the interceptor booster, kill vehicle, ground systems, fire control and engagement coordination for the country’s GMD system.

“We are honored to be selected by the MDA as prime contractor to develop the NGI system to protect our nation from advanced missile attacks,” said Scott Lehr, vice president and general manager, launch and missile defense, Northrop Grumman. “There is a critical timeline for fielding this capability and our team brings together the industry’s top missile defense talent, agile design and manufacturing practices, and state-of-the-art operational factories to support the MDA and our nation’s defense against these evolving threats.”

The Northrop Grumman and Raytheon Missiles & Defense team brings decades of experience in all aspects of missile defense, along with the latest in Agile processes, artificial intelligence and model-based systems engineering to offer an affordable, low-risk solution to help ensure mission success.

“We are bringing together next-generation technologies—digital engineering and game-changing discrimination—for an extremely advanced capability,” said Bryan Rosselli, vice president of Strategic Missile Defense at Raytheon Missiles & Defense. “This team is building on unmatched experience, accounting for all 47 prior U.S. exo-atmospheric intercepts. With that knowledge, we are also embracing innovative ways to accelerate operational deployment while reducing risk.”

The contract, including flight test options, has a period of performance through 2029.

The companies’ NGI program team will be headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama, with major operations in Chandler and Tucson, Arizona; and Magna, Utah, with an industry team located across the nation.

For more information on the teams Next Generation Interceptor please visit: https://www.northropgrumman.com/space/next-generation-interceptor/

About Northrop Grumman

About Raytheon Technologies

Raytheon Technologies Corporation is an aerospace and defense company that provides advanced systems and services for commercial, military and government customers worldwide. It comprises four industry-leading businesses – Collins Aerospace Systems, Pratt & Whitney, Raytheon Intelligence & Space and Raytheon Missiles & Defense. Its 195,000 employees deliver solutions that push the boundaries in quantum physics, electric propulsion, directed energy, hypersonics, avionics and cybersecurity. The company, formed in 2020 through the combination of Raytheon Company and the United Technologies Corporation aerospace businesses, is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts.

The views expressed are those of Northrop Grumman and do not constitute an endorsement by the Missile Defense Agency.

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IBCS Undergoes Hardware Refresh in Advance of Next Milestone

Tue, 23 Mar 2021 13:00:00 GMT

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – March 23, 2021 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has successfully completed hardware refresh, refurbishment and return of major end items (MEI) for the Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System (IBCS) to the U.S. Army. The MEIs include engagement operations centers (EOC), integrated fire control network (IFCN) relays, and integrated collaborative environments (ICE), components of IBCS that have been in use by the U.S. Army since delivery. Most recently, these MEIs were employed in the harsh desert climate of the White Sands Missile Range during last year’s IBCS Limited User Test (LUT).

An IBCS Integrated Fire Control Network relay operated by soldiers in the U.S. Army’s 2020 Limited User Test is in position for transport back to the U.S. Army following refurbishment in the Northrop Grumman Huntsville (Ala.) Manufacturing Center.

Following successful completion of the LUT, 24 IBCS MEIs were delivered to Northrop Grumman’s Huntsville Manufacturing Center and then received, inspected and assessed for physical and functional performance issues. Based on inspection results, MEIs received replacement parts and were re-assessed before being returned to the Army for field acceptance testing leading up to IBCS’ next major event: initial operational test and evaluation (IOT&E).

“Since these MEIs were initially delivered, they have certainly been put through their paces, most notably during last year’s rigorous LUT,” said Kenn Todorov, vice president and general manager, combat systems and mission readiness, Northrop Grumman. “Our Huntsville Manufacturing Center is operational with the resident IBCS expertise to quickly and efficiently refurbish this equipment and return it to the Army for the next demanding IBCS test milestone.”

The IOT&E is a comprehensive test of IBCS system performance which will be conducted under realistic operational conditions prior to system employment. The IOT&E informs a Department of Defense and U.S. Army initial operational capability decision.

IBCS Integrated Fire Control Network relays, Engagement Center trailers and Engagement Operations Centers operated by soldiers in the U.S. Army’s 2020 Limited User Test are lined up after their “refresh” at the Northrop Grumman Huntsville (Ala.) Manufacturing Center for return to the Army.

Northrop Grumman’s Huntsville Manufacturing Center has a long heritage supporting large scale manufacturing efforts including IBCS MEIs and the Army’s command post platform. Earlier this year, IBCS hardware production commenced for Poland’s medium range air and missile defense program, WISLA.

IBCS is the centerpiece of the U.S. Army’s modernization strategy for air and missile defense to address the ever-changing nature of warfare. Designed to connect the forces for unified action across all domains against evolving threats, IBCS is a software-defined, network-enabled command and control system that integrates and optimizes “any-sensor, best-effector” toward enabling joint multi-domain operations and command and control.

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Northrop Grumman Common Infrared Countermeasures System Ready for Full-Rate Production

Mon, 15 Mar 2021 13:00:00 GMT

ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill. – March 15, 2021 – The U.S. Army has declared the Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) Common Infrared Countermeasure (CIRCM) system operationally suitable, effective and ready for full-rate production following a successful six-month initial operational test and evaluation (IOT&E) activity.

CIRCM protects U.S. Army aircraft from emerging missile threats.

“Through our partnership with the U.S. Army and our suppliers, we have already delivered over 100 production systems,” said Bob Gough, vice president, navigation, targeting and survivability, Northrop Grumman. “The successful completion of IOT&E confirms CIRCM’s readiness for full-rate production.”

CIRCM’s dual-jammer configuration helps to protect aircrews while providing the highest level of aircraft survivability. The CIRCM system provides protection against a wide range of infrared-guided anti-aircraft missile threats, including shoulder-fired and vehicle-launched.

During the rigorous testing, the system was flown through a multitude of scenarios and environments to assess CIRCM’s ability to detect, engage and defeat threats. The system rapidly defeated all threats during IOT&E, proving it is ready to support the complex missions of the U.S. Army.

In addition to baseline performance, the system’s next-generation open architecture design will enable rapid and timely capability enhancements to keep pace with changing mission needs.

Northrop Grumman also leverages digital engineering technologies and lean-Agile methodologies to deliver continued system improvement throughout CIRCM’s lifecycle to counter new and evolving threats.

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Northrop Grumman Receives Disaster Recovery Institute International’s Response and Recovery of the Year Award

Wed, 10 Mar 2021 14:00:00 GMT

LAKE CHARLES, La. – March 10, 2021 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) today announced it recently received Disaster Recovery Institute International’s (DRI) Award for Excellence in the category of Response and Recovery of the Year. Northrop Grumman’s enterprise business resiliency and Lake Charles crisis management teams were recognized for their preparation and response to back-to-back hurricanes, optimizing employee safety and minimizing business disruption.

Northrop Grumman’s Aircraft Maintenance and Fabrication Center in Lake Charles was directly impacted by Hurricane Laura in late August 2020. The region was hit by the hurricane which, with high winds, delivered devastating loss of life and property damage to the community. Residents were just recovering from this first hurricane when Hurricane Delta hit in early October, bringing another round of torrential rains across the region. Both hurricanes caused widespread power outages and flooding, which created extensive debris fields.

“While going through a global pandemic, the people of southwest Louisiana faced down two hurricanes and showed us all the meaning of resiliency,” said Michelle Scarpella, vice president and general manager, global sustainment and modernization, Northrop Grumman. “From the start, our focus was on the health and welfare of our people in Lake Charles, followed closely by reopening our site and contributing to the broader community relief efforts.”

Crisis management teams engaged early, with Northrop Grumman’s recovery and response preparation efforts guided by well-documented crisis management and business continuity plans and established protocols. Once all personnel had been accounted for, teams were deployed to assist with employee needs including supplies, insurance coordination, repairs, temporary housing and more, with a focus on timely and targeted outreach and communications.

Concurrently, business resumption teams prioritized site repairs, which included aircraft relocations, to facilitate return to work. The site was able to partially reopen between hurricanes which accelerated recovery after the second hurricane.

“Teams across the company mobilized quickly and the site resumed full operations in under 20 days from Hurricane Delta’s landfall,” said Mary Rose McCaffrey, vice president, security, Northrop Grumman. “This award is truly a testament to the resiliency, compassion and commitment of people and leadership across the company.”

DRI’s Response and Recovery of the Year award recognizes that “the ability to recover from a disaster – whether it was a hardware/software failure, a product recall, a natural disaster, or some other catastrophic event – is the foundation on which business continuity is built. This award recognizes those who have successfully bounced back from a major incident using their plans, skills, and creativity.”

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Northrop Grumman’s Solid Propulsion System Selected to Power Mars Ascent Vehicle

Mon, 08 Mar 2021 19:30:00 GMT

BALTIMORE – March 8, 2021 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC), has been selected by NASA to provide solid propulsion systems and controls for NASA’s Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV). The MAV will be launched to Mars in 2026 along with a “fetch” rover that will collect soil and rock samples prepared by NASA’s Perseverance rover, which launched in July 2020 and landed on Mars Feb. 18.

This illustration shows a concept of how the NASA Mars Ascent Vehicle, carrying tubes containing rock and soil samples, could be launched from the surface of Mars in one step of the Mars sample return mission. NASA/JPL-Caltech

“We are committed to help build the rockets that will orbit the samples Perseverance collects so they can be returned to Earth,” said Rebecca Torzone, vice president, missile products, Northrop Grumman. “We play a vital role with NASA, as we have for decades, by providing key propulsion and control subsystems in support of human spaceflight and robotic exploration missions.”

Northrop Grumman will provide its STAR™ first and second stage high performance solid rocket motors, the first stage thrust vector control system and the second stage spin rockets for the MAV. Once the MAV and fetch rover arrive on the Red Planet’s surface, the fetch rover will spend approximately 18 months collecting samples and transferring collection tubes to the MAV for storage. Upon mission completion, the MAV will launch back into Mars’ orbit to rendezvous with the Earth Return Orbiter. Northrop Grumman’s propulsion and control system’s performance is critical to achieving a precise rendezvous orbit.

Similar to the advances scientists have made in studying samples from the moon for decades, current and future NASA scientists will study the samples returned from Mars to learn more about the Red Planet’s composition. The overall campaign also supports efforts to one day send humans to Mars. Work under the contract will be performed in Elkton, Maryland, and San Jose, California.

Historically, Northrop Grumman has also provided mission critical components on all previous Mars Rovers missions. The Perseverance Rover utilizes the LN-200S inertial measurement unit, which provides attitude and acceleration information for guidance, as well as pressurant tanks for the Rover’s gas dust removal tool and propellant tanks for the Rover’s controlled descent element.

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Northrop Grumman Communications Systems Provide Foundational Elements for JADC2

Tue, 23 Feb 2021 13:00:00 GMT

Anticipating how adversaries are likely to employ new operational concepts and systems has always been important, but in an era of rapid digital transformation, it’s fundamental and critical to all U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) efforts. Understanding how these adversaries are harnessing new technology, responding with new operational concepts and enhanced lethality in accelerated timelines is how DOD intends to retain a strategic advantage on the battlefield.

Northrop Grumman’s Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) gateway system recently reached 200,000 combat operational flight hours since its first deployment with the U.S. Air Force in 2008.

There is no doubt that we are facing new and increasingly sophisticated threats from near-peer adversaries, underscoring the importance of innovation in order to maintain an advantage in an age of technology-driven warfare.

One DOD initiative, Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2), sits at the center of technology-driven modernization. The DOD summarizes JADC2 as “an effort to integrate sensors with shooters across all domains, commands and services.”

With its focus on integration, it is clear that communications and networking capabilities will be essential to help DOD realize its vision for JADC2. As JADC2 seeks to connect communications nodes, shooters and platforms across all domains and branches of the military, cyber-secure, integrated, open architecture communications capabilities will be critical.

For 60 years, Northrop Grumman has been a leader in the design, development and delivery of end-to-end communications and advanced networking capabilities sought out by U.S. and allied military forces. Today, the company’s communications systems are already bringing forward the integrated, open and advanced networking capabilities needed to support the foundation of JADC2.

Northrop Grumman’s gateway offerings—communications systems that help the DOD securely share mission information across military branches—are one example of how the company is already enhancing the flow of data and strengthening the overall command-and-control structure of the DOD.

Northrop Grumman’s gateway systems have an extensive track record of helping interconnect branches of the military. The company’s leading Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) gateway system recently reached 200,000 combat operational flight hours since its first deployment with the U.S. Air Force in 2008.

Northrop Grumman’s BACN offerings have been one of the Defense Department’s most enduring capabilities, delivering interoperable voice and data communications between boots on the ground and pilots in the sky since 2008. Northrop Grumman’s BACN gateway system and sustainment efforts, combined with both manned and unmanned aircraft, provide warfighters an essential round-the-clock capability—enabling the enhanced communications and situational awareness picture needed to defeat threats in the most challenging battlefield environments.

Northrop Grumman’s BACN offering 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. It is also 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 DOD.

Over the course of more than 15,500 missions, enabled by sustainment support that delivers uninterrupted mission readiness, the BACN gateway system has a mission availability rate greater than 98 percent. Northrop Grumman takes an agile approach to introduce new capabilities on the BACN gateway system such as the integration of new automation software, implementation of agile software development processes, and the incorporation of enhanced military standard communications protocols—all to meet emerging mission demands.

The open architecture design and cyber-secure processing of the BACN gateway system, coupled with its ability to easily integrate advanced technologies and proven track record of success, make this system well suited to meet the needs of JADC2.

According to David Deptula, dean of the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, “BACN’s operational success suggests that it, or similar data translators, could help build an ethereal nervous system for JADC2.”

Northrop Grumman is also bringing forward a new family of gateway systems that 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 cyber-secure and integrated functions such as cloud computing, machine learning and secure and ethical artificial intelligence, among other capabilities.

Another example of Northrop Grumman’s JADC2 offerings can be found in the company’s Communications, Navigation and Identification (CNI) system. Northrop Grumman pioneered the design of its CNI system—currently used across a number of high-profile DOD platforms—to provide more than 27 fully-integrated communications, navigation and identification functions.

Over the years, the company’s CNI systems have been battle-tested and proven to enhance warfighters’ situational awareness; improve interoperability across platforms; adapt to emerging mission demands; and securely distribute critical information needed for mission success.

The software-defined nature of Northrop Grumman’s CNI system allow for continuous enhancements and its signature design will open up the company’s CNI offering to provide new functionality, such as the use of third-party capabilities that will help meet the advanced networking needs of JADC2 efforts.

A third example of Northrop Grumman’s JADC2 offerings is tied to the U.S. Air Force Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS) initiative. According to the Air Force, ABMS is the services’ primary contribution to Joint All-Domain Command and Control efforts.

In support of ABMS, Northrop Grumman is rapidly working on developing and fielding a gatewayONE prototype by leveraging its proven Freedom Radio and gateway technologies. Freedom multifunction, software-defined radios are the heart of the F-22 integrated avionics suite and F-35 communications, navigation and identification system.

On December 9, 2020, Northrop Grumman’s Freedom Radio supporting ABMS efforts, successfully integrated with an attritableONE platform and enabled 5th-to-5th generation aircraft communications. According to the Air Force, “…this test was the latest demonstration of the transformative warfighting impact of the open architecture underpinning the Advanced Battle Management System.”

The signature design and open architecture functionality of the Freedom Radio supporting gatewayONE will enable 5^th- to-4th generation platforms to communicate and extend capabilities to enable multiple 5th generation platform types to share and integrate data, helping make network-centric operations and JADC2 a reality for the DOD.

As the DOD moves forward to network-centric operations, Northrop Grumman is well suited to strengthen the DOD’s ability to maintain a strategic advantage in the new age of technology-driven warfare, supporting the open and integrated communications architecture needed for JADC2. Visit Connecting The Joint Force As One to learn more.

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Northrop Grumman Marks Five Years of B-21 Progress with Two Aircraft in Flow

Mon, 22 Feb 2021 14:00:00 GMT

In just over two years since completing Critical Design Review (CDR), Northrop Grumman has brought its digital design of the B-21 Raider to life, with two test aircraft in production today.

The Rise of the Raider is a story that began in February 2016 when Northrop Grumman initiated design and build work for the B-21, and the program has progressed rapidly in the years following. Within three years, the B-21’s design was proven stable and mature through a successful CDR completed in November 2018 at Northrop Grumman’s Manned Aircraft Design Center of Excellence in Melbourne, Florida.

Today, the first B-21 test article is “really starting to look like a bomber,” said Randall Walden, director of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, in an interview with Air Force Magazine in January 2021. Walden also confirmed the production of two B-21 aircraft at Northrop Grumman’s Aircraft Integration Center of Excellence in Palmdale, California.

Infrastructure investments have yielded significant benefits in the design and assembly of the B-21 Raider. Northrop Grumman’s highly skilled workforce leverages cutting-edge technologies—including highly immersive virtual environments, and both augmented and virtual reality—to drive innovation in digital engineering and advanced manufacturing to build a producible, sustainable and maintainable 21st century bomber.

“Our early and continued investment in infrastructure, design maturation, risk reduction and our workforce has been a significant driver of progress on our first two aircraft on the production line in Palmdale,” said Steve Sullivan, vice president and general manager, strike division, Northrop Grumman. “As a result, we are well-positioned for low-rate initial production following key milestones in 2022 and beyond.”

An example of the impact of these infrastructure and employee investments was a recent systems integration demonstration that further matured B-21 hardware and software integration, recently praised by the Air Force. These efforts are instrumental to the Raider’s rapid development.

“We’re not getting something experimental,” said Dr. Will Roper, the former Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, in a January 2021 Aviation Week interview. “We expect to get a representation of the full production [aircraft] to first flight. It is being designed for production innovation, for maintainability and sustainability, up front and back.”

As the program continues to prepare for the Rise of the Raider, Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Air Force are continuing their steadfast collaboration to provide the long-range penetrating strike aircraft the nation needs.

“The B-21 Raider is the product of a proud partnership between Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Air Force,” Sullivan said. “We are committed to delivering the world’s most capable, technologically advanced bomber that will equip our warfighters with every strategic advantage against our adversaries.”

Learn more about the B-21 and receive updates on the Rise of the Raider at www.northropgrumman.com/riseoftheraider.

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Northrop Grumman Set to Launch 15th Cargo Delivery Mission to the International Space Station

Fri, 19 Feb 2021 15:30:00 GMT

WALLOPS, Va. – Feb. 19, 2021 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) is set to launch the company’s 15th resupply mission (NG-15) to the International Space Station under NASA’s Commercial Resupply Service-2 contract. The NG-15 mission’s Cygnus spacecraft will launch aboard the company’s Antares rocket with nearly 8,000 pounds of scientific research, supplies and hardware for the crew aboard the station.

The NG-15 mission’s Cygnus spacecraft will launch aboard the company’s Antares rocket with nearly 8,000 pounds of scientific research, supplies and hardware for the crew aboard the station.

Liftoff of the Antares rocket is scheduled for Feb. 20 at 12:36 p.m. EST from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Pad 0A on Wallops Island, at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility. Live coverage of the Antares launch will be available on NASA Television at http://www.nasa.gov/live.

Northrop Grumman names each Cygnus spacecraft in honor of individuals who have made substantial contributions to the United States’ commercial space program and human space flight. The NG-15 mission commemorates Katherine Johnson, a NASA mathematician and Black woman who not only broke through barriers of gender and race, but delivered calculations that were critical to the success of numerous human spaceflight missions.

The “S.S. Katherine Johnson” will remain attached to the space station for approximately three months before departing with up to 8,200 pounds (approximately 3,720 kilograms) of disposal cargo.

During the NG-15 mission, Cygnus will once again act as a science platform in low Earth orbit for a variety of customers. After departing from the station, the spacecraft will deploy a number of CubeSats via a Slingshot deployer and a Nanoracks deployer, including Dhabisat, the second CubeSat developed by Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Dhabisat was developed as part of Khalifa’s Space Systems and Technology Concentration, a joint program established in 2015 in collaboration with UAE-based satellite operator Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat) and Northrop Grumman.

For this mission, Antares is also carrying 30 secondary payloads called ThinSats. The ThinSats program is a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) outreach program sponsored by the Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority for grades 4-12. These satellites were built by students from 70 schools located in 9 states (Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia).

Details about the mission and its unique cargo, and more information about Katherine Johnson are available on Northrop Grumman’s NG-15 Mission Page.

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Northrop Grumman Technologies Support NASA’s Perseverance Mars Rover

Thu, 18 Feb 2021 21:15:00 GMT

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. – Feb. 18, 2021 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) provided key navigation and critical components to support NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s Perseverance Rover, which landed on Mars’ Jezero Crater today.

The Perseverance Rover utilizes Northrop Grumman’s LN-200S IMU for navigation, pressurant tanks for the Rover’s gas dust removal tool and propellant tanks for the Rover’s controlled descent element. Photo courtesy of NASA/JPL-Caltech.

The Perseverance Rover utilizes Northrop Grumman’s LN-200S inertial measurement unit (IMU) to provide attitude and acceleration information for guidance, as well as pressurant tanks for the Rover’s gas dust removal tool (gDRT) and propellant tanks for the Rover’s controlled descent element. The company has provided mission critical components on all previous Mars Rovers missions, including 2003’s Spirit and Opportunity, and 2012’s Curiosity.

“Our longstanding support of NASA’s Mars Rover missions has provided vital components for these vehicles for many years,” said Lindsay McEwen, vice president, navigation and positioning systems, Northrop Grumman. “The LN-200S brings critical navigation capabilities to the Perseverance Rover, and delivers top reliability that has helped to extend previous Mars Rover missions for years beyond their expected length.”

The LN-200S is a highly reliable, low cost and lightweight IMU that features three fiber optic gyroscopes and three silicon Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) accelerometers.

The LN-200S IMU maintains performance even in the most demanding environmental conditions.

Northrop Grumman’s tanks enable the Rover’s gDRT to blow away dust particles after grinding rock samples to allow a better look at the polished sample surface. The propellant tanks used on the Rover’s descent element deliver hydrazine propellant for the controlled descent onto the Martian surface as well as propellant tanks used on the cruise stage during transport from Earth to Mars.

The Perseverance Rover mission will last at least one Mars year, or about 687 Earth days. It will study the habitability of Mars and will specifically seek biosignatures of past life, collect core samples of the surface and test oxygen production in the atmosphere. Additionally, the Perseverance Rover will test technologies to aid in future human exploration.

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NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance Force Achieves Initial Operating Capability

Thu, 18 Feb 2021 17:00:00 GMT

SAN DIEGO – Feb. 18, 2021 – Northrop Grumman Corporation’s (NYSE: NOC) RQ-4D Phoenix Global Hawk has recently enabled NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) Force to achieve a declaration of initial operating capability (IOC) from Supreme Allied Commander Europe, giving NATO commanders the ability to perform uninterrupted in-theater operations 24/7/365. The RQ-4D Phoenix Global Hawk variant provides cutting-edge intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) in support of global security.

NATO AGS RQ-4D Phoenix Global Hawk

“NATO AGS will help the Alliance with persistent regional defense and deterrence,” said Jane Bishop, vice president and general manager, autonomous systems, Northrop Grumman. “The commitment of the entire AGS team partnership – both government and industry – has shown incredible dedication, working across cultures, time zones and languages, all aiming toward one goal – providing the Alliance with this critical capability.”

The NATO AGS system is comprised of five aircraft, ground and support segments, along with advanced sensor technologies. The Phoenix aircraft has met the rigorous standards required for the first large unmanned aerial vehicle – military type certification and approved by the Italian Directorate of Aeronautical Armaments and Airworthiness (DAAA). Companies from across NATO member nations, including Leonardo, Airbus and Kongsberg, comprise the Northrop Grumman-led industry team that developed the NATO AGS capability.

The wide area surveillance of the RQ-4D Global Hawk and the fixed, mobile and transportable ground stations will support a full range of missions, including protection of ground troops and civilian populations, border control, crisis management and humanitarian assistance in natural disasters. The platform’s high-altitude, long-endurance capability delivers sustained, uninterrupted in-theater operations providing an unprecedented amount of ISR data to the Alliance. With the state-of-the-art main operating base at the Italian Air Base, Sigonella, Italy, data can be rapidly disseminated to allied forces, providing an unmatched advantage.

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Northrop Grumman Board Declares Quarterly Dividend

Tue, 16 Feb 2021 23:40:00 GMT

FALLS CHURCH, Va. – Feb. 16, 2021 – The board of directors of Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) declared a quarterly dividend of $1.45 per share on Northrop Grumman common stock, payable March 17, 2021, to shareholders of record as of the close of business March 1, 2021.

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Northrop Grumman Successfully Conducted Major Milestone for Ground Based Strategic Deterrent Program

Tue, 16 Feb 2021 14:00:00 GMT

ROY, Utah – Feb. 16, 2021 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) successfully conducted its first major design review event for the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) baseline in November 2020. The next key milestone is the integrated baseline review (IBR).

The EMD baseline review (EBR) is an assessment of the current technical baseline, which includes user requirements, program data and configuration elements, and is the first step in transitioning ownership of the allocated baseline to the government. The three-day event was held virtually with more than 100 people in attendance throughout Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Air Force. The team is currently on schedule to meet IBR, which sets the program’s performance measurement baseline.

“Achieving this milestone demonstrates our team’s commitment to deliver a safe, secure and reliable system to the U.S. Air Force on-schedule and on-budget,” said Steve Lunny, vice president, GBSD program, Northrop Grumman. “Our team is applying a digital engineering approach that will produce a modern strategic deterrent capability for our nation and its allies.”

Northrop Grumman was awarded the GBSD EMD contract in September 2020, to modernize the nation’s aging intercontinental ballistic missile system. The EMD phase includes full system design, qualification, test and evaluation, and nuclear certification. Upon successful completion of EMD, the Northrop Grumman team will begin producing and delivering a modern and fully integrated ICBM system to meet the Air Force’s schedule of initial operational capability by 2029.

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Northrop Grumman’s SharkSat Payload Showcases Agility from the Ground to Orbit

Matt Jorgenson — Mon, 15 Feb 2021 19:00:00 GMT

A shark moves through the water with speed and agility, always focused on moving forward. It is in this same vein that Northrop Grumman recently developed SharkSat, a pioneering payload to demonstrate on-orbit mission agility and meet demands for rapid development and deployment in space.

In January, after completing a three-month stay at the International Space Station hosted aboard the company’s Cygnus spacecraft, SharkSat spent two weeks orbiting the Earth and transmitting valuable telemetry and performance data back to mission controllers.

A Northrop Grumman engineer prepares SharkSat for integration with the Cygnus spacecraft.

“SharkSat’s success directly reflects the speed and agility that our team put forth to deliver mission success,” said Candace Givens, vice president, payload and ground systems division, Northrop Grumman.

During its mission, SharkSat successfully collected on-board data, which provided insight into the health and functioning of its electronic components after departing the space station. It also validated the ability to add new software to an in-flight satellite from a terrestrial ground station and demonstrated the resilience of these technologies through the South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA). The SAA is a region of space known to cause low-earth orbiting satellites to lose communication and their hardware to brown-out, interrupting operations.

Components of the payload included a multi-processor architecture to support space-to-space and space-to-ground communication targeted toward the development of a Ka-Band software defined radio. These technologies have uses in fields such as 5G telecommunications, satellite communications, and autonomous and cognitive systems. The SharkSat payload also offers a path for next generation space systems to have more capability, reduced size, weight and power (SWaP), lower cost and reduced development timelines.

SharkSat serves as a stepping stone toward reusing these technologies for multiple applications in the future. Its improvements center around using advanced and higher performance components that are more capable, yet consume less power.

While the payload itself was created based on an agile development process, the team who made it possible was assembled with that in mind. The SharkSat team was comprised of early-career and experienced professionals that brought unique experiences and perspectives on how to achieve mission success. They put a premium on achieving quality through innovation and agility while taking calculated risks, testing thoroughly and tight collaboration.

“Engaging the full capabilities of our Space Systems team laid a collaborative foundation across the business,” said Dave Schiller, SharkSat program manager for concept development and engineering, Northrop Grumman. “Our partnerships, together with an end-to-end focus, created opportunities for making exciting new ideas a reality, allowing us to overcome challenges as a team and complete a successful mission.”

Along the way to mission success, Northrop Grumman’s SharkSat team put into practice flexibility, agility, hard work and an open-mind -- encouraging them to swim confidently forward to the next challenge.

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