WASHINGTON, D.C., Nov. 6, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has recently commissioned two Weather Systems Processors (WSP) built by Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) Electronic Systems sector, which will help enhance air traffic safety by providing timely information to controllers and pilots about potentially hazardous weather events.
The commissioned WSP systems in Austin, Texas, and Norfolk, Va., represent the first of 38 systems Northrop Grumman will deliver to airports nationwide. All of the remaining WSP units are expected to enter service with the FAA by mid-2003.
"The WSP provides the low-cost, high-quality wind shear detection equipment necessary to assess near-term severe weather impact on terminal area operations," said Don Wilhelm, Northrop Grumman's vice president, Airspace Management Systems. "Through programs such as the WSP, Northrop Grumman is continuing its long-standing relationship with the FAA, its pilots and controllers to help ensure air traffic remains safe throughout the nation."
The WSP is designed to aid terminal air traffic management by providing timely information to pilots and controllers on weather conditions, including wind shear events and gust front activities that might affect departures and arrivals. The WSP works in conjunction with the Northrop Grumman-built ASR-9 airport surveillance radar system, which has been operational at 135 U.S. locations beginning in 1985.
With more than 40 years of continuous support to the U.S. and international air traffic control communities, Northrop Grumman is responsible for many of the current surveillance radars and communications switching systems serving controllers and pilots today.
Northrop Grumman air traffic control-related products and services include Airport Surface Detection Equipment (ASDE-3); Airport Movement Area Safety System (AMASS); Airport Surveillance Radars/Weather Systems Processor (ASR-9, ASR-12/WSP); Air Route Surveillance Radars (ARSR-3, ARSR-4); Monopulse Secondary Surveillance Radars (MSSR/Mode S); Ground-to-Air Communications; Instrument/Satellite Landing Systems; Advanced Surface Movement Guidance and Control Systems; Center TRACON Automation System (CTAS) Traffic Management Advisor (TMA); EnRoute Software Development and Support (ERSDS III); Automated Flight Service Station Voice Switch (AFSS VS); and the Terminal Voice Switch Replacement (TVSR) HOST sustainment project.
Headquartered in Baltimore, Md., Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems is a world leader in the design, development and manufacture of defense electronics systems including airborne radar systems, navigation systems, electronic warfare systems, precision weapons, airspace management systems, air defense systems, communications systems, space systems, marine systems, oceanic and naval systems, logistics systems, and automation and information systems.
LEARN MORE ABOUT US: Northrop Grumman news releases, product information, photos and video clips are available on the Internet at: http://www.northropgrumman.com. Information specific to the Electronic Systems sector is available at: http://sensor.northropgrumman.com/