GAITHERSBURG, Md., April 1, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) and ITT Industries, Inc. (NYSE:ITT) are teaming to provide enhancements to the national airspace system intended to accommodate projected air traffic growth while minimizing unnecessary delays for the flying public.
Northrop Grumman and ITT have formed one of two teams competing to develop and test the Next Generation Air/Ground Communications (NEXCOM) Ground Network System (GNS) for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Using digital technology, NEXCOM will allow greater future expansion within the crowded radio frequency spectrum by increasing the number of voice and data circuits available to support air traffic control communications, while reducing circuit blockage and enhancing security.
The FAA has awarded contracts for the development and demonstration of an engineering model. The teams will then compete for the next program phase, expected to be worth up to $400 million for the winning team. This second phase of the program will include full-scale development, production and fielding of NEXCOM GNS throughout the U.S.
ITT is the prime contractor with Northrop Grumman's Denro Systems business unit providing systems engineering support and design of the interface to the air traffic control (ATC) voice communication switching systems. Northrop Grumman's Information Technology sector is providing software development support.
The resulting integrated ground network system will provide air/ground communications for ATC, including both VHF Digital Link Mode 3 voice/data and analog voice capability. This scalable system will be deployed first in the en route ATC domain and subsequently in the terminal, tower and flight service station environments.
These enhancements to the National Airspace System are intended to accommodate the nation's growth in air traffic volume by, among other things, helping to minimize unnecessary delays for the flying public.
Headquartered in Gaithersburg, Md., Denro Systems is an operating unit of Northrop Grumman's Electronic Systems sector. Denro Systems is one of the world's leading suppliers of fully integrated voice communication systems for air traffic control and command, control and communications applications. Denro Systems is currently providing new communications switching and recording equipment and services for all of the FAA's ATC towers, terminal radar approach control facilities and automated flight service stations, under various FAA contracts.
Northrop Grumman's Electronic Systems sector, headquartered in Baltimore, Md., is a world leader in the design, development, and manufacture of defense and commercial 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, government systems, and logistic services.
ITT Industries, Inc. (http://www.itt.com) supplies advanced technology products and services in key markets including: electronic interconnects and switches; defense communication, opto-electronics, information technology and services; fluid and water management and other specialty products. Headquartered in White Plains, N.Y., the company generated $4.99 billion in 2002 sales. In addition to the New York Stock Exchange, ITT Industries stock is traded on the Midwest, Pacific, London, Paris and Frankfurt exchanges.
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