FARNBOROUGH AIRSHOW U.K., July 19, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) today unveiled a full-scale model of its X-47B Joint Unmanned Combat Air Systems (JUCAS) vehicle during the opening of the Farnborough International 2004 air-show in the United Kingdom. The model will remain at Northrop Grumman's outdoor static display throughout the air-show.
Officiating at the unveiling ceremony were Scott J. Seymour, Northrop Grumman corporate vice president and president of the company's Integrated Systems sector; Dain Hancock, executive vice president, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., and Warren Bole, vice president of operational military engines for Pratt & Whitney. Lockheed Martin and Pratt & Whitney are members of Northrop Grumman's X-47B team.
"The X-47B, the future of unmanned combat air systems, will penetrate airspace high above the battlefield and remain on station for hours, denying sanctuary to enemy combatants," Seymour said. "The members of our Northrop Grumman X-47B industry team are working all elements of the system's design and development in concert, applying our long tradition of excellence in the integration of tactical aircraft, unmanned systems and advanced military aircraft engines."
The JUCAS program is currently in development with the U.S. Defense Advance Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy. Designed to serve as an adjunct to today's manned fighters and electronic attack aircraft, JUCAS will provide reconnaissance and surveillance support; conduct missions to suppress enemy air defenses; execute electronic attack; and perform precision strike missions. The program will soon enter operational assessment. Northrop Grumman will produce three demonstrator vehicles for this phase. First flight is planned for 2006.
Northrop Grumman Integrated Systems is a premier aerospace and defense systems integration organization. Headquartered in El Segundo, Calif., it designs, develops, produces and supports integrated systems and subsystems optimized for use on government 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.