HUNTSVILLE, Ala., Aug. 18, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) a $90 million, 30-month task order to further develop and evaluate Enhanced Command, Control, Battle Management and Communications (C2BMC) capabilities. These capabilities will enable the implementation of the MDA's Phased Adaptive Approach (PAA) for more timely, affordable and responsive missile defenses to protect against ballistic missiles of all ranges and increasing raid sizes.
Under the task order, awarded under the MDA's Joint National Integration Center Research and Development Contract (JRDC), Northrop Grumman will develop techniques for sensor management and data processing and fusion for future sensors. The techniques will enable more accurate tracking information for intercepting a missile earlier in flight using current and future interceptor systems. These new capabilities will be built upon an open systems infrastructure to facilitate the ability to incorporate any sensor and weapon system into the Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS).
Northrop Grumman will also participate in flight and ground tests to validate the performance prior to transitioning the capabilities into the operational BMDS. The company will develop simulations to evaluate the system performance for scenario configurations against increasingly challenging missile raid sizes.
"As we have for decades, we are committed to working closely with the MDA to advance the ability to defeat threats to our nation and allies," said Karen Williams, vice president of Air and Missile Defense Systems for Northrop Grumman's Information Systems sector. "This effort will ensure past investments in early intercept techniques are best applied to bring forth a more adaptive capability that provides better protection against evolving and emerging threats.
"Essentially, we are focused on a plug-and-play battle management, command and control architecture to improve protection against large raids and facilitate 'shoot-look-shoot' opportunities," Williams added.
In September 2009, President Obama approved the PAA for missile defense in Europe. The approach is based on an assessment of new threats and a commitment to deploy technology that is proven, cost-effective and adaptable to an ever-changing security environment. Accordingly, the U.S. Department of Defense developed a four-phased, adaptive approach requiring a flexible architecture that is responsive to current threats and has the ability to incorporate relevant technologies quickly and cost-effectively as threats evolve.
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide. Please visit www.northropgrumman.com for more information.
Approved for public release 10-MDA-5710