ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill., Sept. 24, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has been selected by the Naval Air Systems Command to develop and demonstrate an electronic combat support system that covers numerous platforms as well as all U.S. military branches and several NATO coalition partners.
Under the terms of the $26.7 million contract, Northrop Grumman's Defensive Systems Division will complete development and demonstrate four prototype units of the company's Agile Rapid Global Combat Support (ARGCS) system. ARGCS is intended to support complex avionics and other electronics on numerous platforms, specifically, the U.S. Navy F-18 and E-2C aircraft; U.S. Army Paladin, Apache helicopter and M-1 battletank; U.S. Marine Corps light armored vehicles, and U.S. Air Force F-15 aircraft.
The Northrop Grumman system will include the latest integrated support systems technology to ensure a common, interoperable, scalable system that will provide the support necessary to maintain the technologically advanced systems in the field. Testing and fielding of the ARGCS is slated to occur from 2006 through 2008.
"The ARGCS program provides Northrop Grumman the unique opportunity to incorporate our world-class technologies with new test techniques that will enable common testing in the factory, depot and the field and thus help ensure the highest level of weapon-system readiness," said Don Kump, vice president of Northrop Grumman's Automatic Test Equipment and Simulation unit. "The interoperability between all of the U.S. military services and their coalition partners will allow for unprecedented support to the warfighter."
The Northrop Grumman ARGCS system will feature a diagnostic system capable of testing and maintaining analog, digital and radio frequency assemblies at all levels of the maintenance cycle. Its modular, lighter and smaller footprint will support an operational environment and reduce time to repair and reduce false maintenance actions thereby decreasing manpower and equipment utilization.
The Defense Systems Division is a component of Northrop Grumman's Electronic Systems sector, a world leader in the design, development, and manufacture of defense and commercial electronic systems, including airborne radar, navigation systems, electronic countermeasures, precision weapons, airspace management systems, communications systems, space sensors, marine and naval systems, government systems and logistic services.