BALTIMORE, Sept. 17, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) California Microwave Systems (CMS) will serve as the aerial sensor integrator for the U.S. Army's Future Combat System (FCS) program.
The lead systems integrator (LSI) team of The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA) and Science Applications International Corporation selected CMS, a business unit of Northrop Grumman's Electronic Systems sector, for the task.
FCS is a networked "system of systems" that will use advanced communication technologies to link 18 manned and unmanned ground and airborne platforms and sensors. Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems is one of four company sectors working on the Department of Defense initiative to transform the Army into a more agile force capable of going anywhere with enough power to overcome any adversary.
"Being chosen to conduct the source selection, procurement and systems integration for the Army's future UAV sensor requirements validates California Microwave Systems as a center of excellence for low-cost, quick-react integration," said Tom Lupica, director of California Microwave Systems.
With key contributions from other Electronic Systems units and from Northrop Grumman's Information Technology sector, CMS will provide systems engineering, modeling and simulation, management, design support, and test of the suite of air-based sensors during the system development and demonstration phase of the program. In addition, the company will support the LSI in developing, maintaining, and improving the overall intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance concept for FCS and ensure that the various sensors operate as an integrated system that is more powerful than the sum of its components.
The integrated sensors will perform the surveillance, reconnaissance and target acquisition functions onboard the FCS unmanned aerial platforms. Linked by advanced fusion software, they will provide the airborne eyes and ears that will enable the force to "see and hear first."
Northrop Grumman's Electronic Systems, Integrated Systems, Information Technology and Mission Systems sectors serve as either prime contractors or subcontractors on 10 of the program's 21 concept and development teams. The teams' work is expected to lead to initial production and operational capability phases by the end of the decade.
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.
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