YUMA, Ariz., Dec. 13, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- During a joint U.S. Marine Corps/Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) demonstration here this week, the company will provide air, ground and command elements with real-time data and communications over a collaborative network. Northrop Grumman's Advanced Information Architecture(tm) (AIA) will link commanders at all levels during a demonstration known as "Agile Lion."
Marine Corps aircraft equipped with Northrop Grumman AIA systems and LITENING targeting pods will supply forces with digital access to a dynamic catalog of tactical information including real-time targeting video.
"Our goal in Agile Lion is to show the value of tactical, ad-hoc networks that enable both air- and ground-based warfighters to collaborate in real time, especially while on the move," said Dale Burton, sector vice president and chief technology officer for Northrop Grumman's Integrated Systems sector. "Today, most of the raw data collected by tactial assets is available only in cockpits and command centers. The demonstration of AIA in Agile Lion will highlight how forces in convoys and dismounted Marines can 'pull' or 'push' data-imagery, signals, intelligence, chat, e-mail or other information-to and from a network of airborne and ground-based servers, allowing real-time collaboration among users."
Northrop Grumman's AIA will be integrated into a variety of Marine Corps tactical platforms, including an AV-8B and an F/A-18D aircraft equipped with a LITENING pod, a Cobra attack helicopter, a C-130J air refueling tanker, ground vehicles and even individual Marines, which will allow them all to share tactical information in real time.
"The tanker will be equipped with an AIA suite enabling it to expand its role of aerial refueling to 'digital refueling,'" said Burton. "In Northrop Grumman's Brilliant Constellation concept, digital refueling means delivery and sharing of information and situational awareness products between warfighters, in the cockpit or on the ground, via its real-time network."
A Command Operations Center (COC) at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma has also been equipped with a ground-based AIA command node to provide data access, chat and e-mail capability so that ground forces can exchange information with the COC without using voice communications. Marine Corps ground units will use personal-data assistants and laptop computers to access data provided through the AIA network.
The AIA system was developed by Northrop Grumman's Integrated Systems sector, and the LITENING targeting pods are produced by the company's Electronic Systems sector.
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a global defense company headquartered in Los Angeles, Calif. Northrop Grumman provides technologically advanced, innovative products, services and solutions in systems integration, defense electronics, information technology, advanced aircraft, shipbuilding and space technology. With more than 125,000 employees, and operations in all 50 states and 25 countries, Northrop Grumman serves U.S. and international military, government and commercial customers.