SAN DIEGO, April 25, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has been awarded a contract to provide BQM-74E aerial target systems to the U.S. Navy.
First introduced in 1966, the BQM-74 series is the mainstay of the Navy's sub-sonic, sub-scale aerial target fleet. The BQM-74E, first fielded by the Navy in 1993, is used to replicate enemy cruise missiles and aircraft for fleet training and to test and evaluate anti-ship and anti-aircraft weapon systems.
The company's Integrated Systems sector will provide 60 aerial targets, logistics support and associated hardware in 2006. The $48.2 million fixed-price contract includes an option for 60 more systems in 2007.
"This award builds upon Northrop Grumman's reputation among Navy customers as a trusted supplier of high performance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV)," said Chris Lape, Northrop Grumman's aerial targets program director. "The contract validates our 'best value' commitment to perfect product lines with component upgrades. BQM-74E targets delivered under this contract will include upgraded avionics units developed and tested with company funds. The enhancements provided by the new units will help simplify the Navy's logistic requirements, alleviate obsolescence issues and reduce the operational costs of the service's subsonic aerial targets fleet."
Northrop Grumman is also under contract with the Navy to develop the BQM-74F, its newest aerial target. The BQM-74F will substantially enhance target speed, range, endurance and maneuverability performance. First flight of this version is scheduled for later this year.
Northrop Grumman is the leading producer of unmanned systems for the U.S. military with a portfolio that spans a broad spectrum of capabilities. Current systems in service, production or development include the combat-proven U.S. Air Force RQ-4 Global Hawk and U.S. Army RQ-5 Hunter unmanned reconnaissance systems currently supporting the global war on terrorism; the BQM-34 and BQM-74 aerial targets; the RQ-8 Fire Scout vertical take-off and landing tactical UAV in low-rate initial production for the U.S. Navy and for U.S. Army Future Combat Systems Class IV unmanned air vehicle program; the multi-role Hunter II proposed for the Army's next-generation, extended-range, multi-purpose UAV program; the medium-altitude, long-endurance, multi-role Model 395; and the X-47 Joint Unmanned Combat Air Systems for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Air Force and Navy.
Northrop Grumman Integrated Systems is a premier aerospace and defense systems integration organization. Headquartered in El Segundo, Calif., it designs, develops, produces and supports network-enabled integrated systems and subsystems optimized for use on networks. For its government and civil customers worldwide, Integrated Systems delivers best-value solutions, products and services that support military and homeland defense missions in the areas of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; space access; battle management command and control; and integrated strike warfare.