ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill., Feb. 11, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- The U.S. Army has chosen a new radar warning receiver and electronic warfare management system from Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) Defensive Systems Division to protect its RC-7 Airborne Reconnaissance Low (ARL) aircrews from today's array of hostile multi-spectral threats.
The Army has contracted with Northrop Grumman for several AN/APR-39A/B(V)2/SISCM (system of integrated sensors and countermeasures) systems for use aboard its RC-7 ARL aircraft. This order brings to $25.5 million the total U.S. military investment in AN/APR-39/SISCM systems during the past year. Deliveries under this latest contract are expected to be completed by January 2004.
"This new and improved version ensures that RC-7 aircrews will have the situational awareness and survivability they need to continue to operate against today's threat environments," said Ev Pratt, vice president of Electronic Warfare programs at Northrop Grumman's Defensive Systems Division. "This is a totally reworked system that is sure to please our Army customers who have been relying on Northrop Grumman legacy APR-39 systems for the past 20 years."
The AN/APR-39A/B(V)2/SISCM system protects a wide variety of fixed-, rotary- and tilt-wing aircraft from the threat posed by radio frequency, infrared, and electro-optical weapons. Combining the most recent technology in a small, lightweight configuration, the system provides interactive management of all onboard sensors and countermeasures along with modern radar warning functions. Additionally, the system automatically initiates optimal countermeasures, chaff, flares, radio frequency jamming, or directional infrared countermeasures, a feature that can be switched to manual control by aircrews if they so choose.
Over the years, the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy have purchased more than 500 Northrop Grumman AN/APR-39A/B(V)2/SISCM systems for installation in a variety of helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft and the MV-22B Osprey. The U.S. Air Force recently selected the Northrop Grumman radar warning receiver and electronic warfare management system to support its Combat Search and Rescue Blackhawk helicopters. Numerous international customers have also chosen the AN/APR-39A/B(V)2/SISCM for use on CH-47, UH60/S-70, Cougar and AH-64D aircraft. Production plans call for the manufacture of another 500 to 1,000 shipsets during the next few years at Northrop Grumman facilities in Illinois and California.
Based in Rolling Meadows, Northrop Grumman's Defensive Systems Division designs, develops and manufactures radio frequency and electro-optic/infrared products that protect military aircraft, ships, satellites and ground vehicles from attack by modern weapons; provide tactical aircraft with 24-hour targeting and navigation capabilities; ensure high-value, complex, electronic and electro-optical weapons systems are mission ready; and evaluate defense electronic performance in complex environments.
The division is a component of Northrop Grumman's Baltimore, Md.-based Electronic Systems sector, a world leader in the design, development and manufacture of defense and commercial electronics and systems including airborne radar systems, navigation systems, electronic warfare systems, precision weapons, air traffic control systems, air defense systems, communications systems, space systems, marine systems, oceanic and naval systems, logistics systems, and government systems.