SAN DIEGO, July 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Northrop Grumman
Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has delivered its 100th AN/ASQ-242
communications, navigation and identification (CNI) system to
Lockheed Martin Corp. for integration into the F-35 Lightning
II.
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"The CNI system is a critical part of the F-35 mission systems
suite, and we're proud of the excellent performance of the
AN/ASQ-242 in flight tests and ongoing pilot and maintainer
training activities," said Mike
Twyman, vice president and general manager of the Defense
Systems division of Northrop Grumman Information Systems. "This
milestone underscores our commitment to advanced design, quality
manufacturing, affordability and supportability.
"By incorporating lessons learned from previous programs and
early F-35 low-rate production lots, we're delivering highly robust
and reliable CNI systems that demonstrate extensive
fifth-generation fighter capabilities. The Northrop Grumman team is
focused on continuous improvement, lot to lot, for schedule,
quality and cost as we prepare for high-rate F-35 production," said
Twyman.
Northrop Grumman's integrated CNI system provides F-35 pilots
with the capability of more than 27 avionics functions. By using
its industry-leading software-defined radio technology, Northrop
Grumman's design allows the simultaneous operation of multiple
critical functions while greatly reducing size, weight and power
demands on the advanced fighter. These capabilities include
Identification Friend or Foe, precision navigation, and various
voice and data communications, including the Multifunction Advanced
Data Link, which was approved by the U.S. Department of Defense
Joint Requirements Oversight Council for use on all low-observable
platforms.
As a principal member of the Lockheed Martin-led F-35 industry
team, Northrop Grumman performs a significant share of the work
required to develop and produce the aircraft. In addition to
developing and producing the AN/ASQ-242 CNI system, Northrop
Grumman produces the center fuselage; designed and produces the
aircraft's radar and electro-optical subsystem; develops mission
systems and mission planning software; leads the team's development
of pilot and maintenance training system courseware; and manages
the team's use, support and maintenance of low-observable
technologies.
The F-35 Lightning II is a 5th Generation fighter, combining
advanced stealth with fighter speed and agility, fully fused sensor
information, network-enabled operations and advanced sustainment.
Lockheed Martin is developing the F-35 with its principal
industrial partners, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems,
headquartered in the U.K. The U.S. Marine Corps plans to declare
Initial Operational Capability with the STOVL in 2015.
Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing
innovative systems, products and solutions in unmanned systems,
cyber, C4ISR, and logistics and modernization to government and
commercial customers worldwide. Please visit
www.northropgrumman.com for more information.
SOURCE Northrop Grumman Corporation