BALTIMORE, June 29, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has been selected by General Dynamics (NYSE:GD) to provide its Integrated Combat Management System (ICMS) as a key component of the General Dynamics-designed, open-architecture core mission systems for the U.S. Navy's Littoral Combat Ship (LCS).
General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics, has developed a unique open-architecture approach for the LCS that will enable a combination of industry-leading technologies and capabilities to be integrated in one system to provide the Navy with near- and long-term benefits.
Northrop Grumman's Electronic Systems sector will design and develop the Integrated Combat Management System, a software capability that fits into the overall Total Ship Computing Environment developed by General Dynamics. Capabilities of the Total Ship Computing Environment, which is compliant with the Navy Open Architecture, include net-centric naval combat management, real-time command and control, command support and the integration of various shipboard sensors and weapons.
The ICMS is the U.S.-variant of a proven family of TACTICOS combat management systems currently installed onboard more than 80 naval ships from 11 nations. It is built on a Navy Open Architecture Computing Environment, that enables rapid and affordable integration of sensors, weapons, and preferred Navy combat system services and applications.
"Our software development expertise was key to Northrop Grumman being selected to work on the General Dynamics integrated team," said Don Hairston, director of Advanced Maritime Platforms at Northrop Grumman. "We're proud to be part of a system that will provide the U.S. Navy with the best combat intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, among other key systems advantages."
The Littoral Combat Ship is a key element of the Navy's plan to address asymmetric threats. Intended to operate in coastal areas of the globe, the ship will be fast, highly maneuverable and geared to supporting mine detection/elimination, anti-submarine warfare and surface warfare, particularly against small surface ships.
The General Dynamics-led team is one of two industry teams recently selected from a field of three to proceed into the final design-phase of Littoral Combat Ship development.
"Our designed-in, open-architecture, scalable capability will allow the Navy to select the combat elements and applications it needs at an affordable price," said George Perkins, vice president and general manager of Northrop Grumman's Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance and Naval Systems division. "By effectively integrating many of the shipboard sensors and weapon systems, our ICMS will enable commanding officers to make effective, time-critical decisions and perform target engagements by relying on an automated, integrated tactical picture of the surrounding environment."
Northrop Grumman's Electronic Systems sector, based in Baltimore, Md., is a world leader in the design, development and manufacture of defense and commercial electronics and systems including airborne radar, navigation systems, electronic countermeasures, precision weapons, airspace management systems, communications systems, space systems, marine and naval systems, government systems and logistics services.
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