BALTIMORE, June 19, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has taken delivery of the first cryogenic coolers (cryocoolers) for a key avionics system slated for the F-35 Lightning II aircraft program.
Produced in the Netherlands by Thales Cryogenics of Eindhoven, the cryocoolers are the "cooling engines" for the Electro-Optical Distributed Aperture System (EO DAS) (AN/AAQ-37) infrared detectors being developed by Northrop Grumman for the F-35 Systems Development and Demonstration program. The EO DAS provides F-35 pilots with multi-functional situational awareness.
"This delivery from Thales Cryogenics is a major milestone in our effort to incorporate Lightning II partner countries in the design and manufacture of complex assemblies within the EO DAS sensor," said Mark Rossi, director of the EO DAS program for Northrop Grumman. "We expect a total of 25 cryocoolers for this phase of development."
As a principal member of the Lockheed Martin-led F-35 global industry team, Northrop Grumman plays a critical role in the development and production of the weapons system. The company's contributions include: producing and integrating a major section of aircraft's structure; producing key radar subsystems; producing key avionics and communications subsystems; developing mission systems and mission-planning software; developing pilot and maintenance training systems; and developing logistic support hardware and software. The team also includes BAE Systems.
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a $30 billion global defense and technology company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in information and services, electronics, aerospace and shipbuilding to government and commercial customers worldwide.