HUNTSVILLE, Ala., June 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Northrop Grumman
Corporation's (NYSE: NOC) advanced battle management and launch
control capabilities successfully performed in today's intercept
test of the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system. Northrop
Grumman is a strategic partner of The Boeing Company for the GMD
program that provides the nation's only defense against long-range
ballistic missiles.
"Our systems serve a pivotal role in effectively delivering
weapons on target," said Dan
Verwiel, vice president of air and missile defense systems,
Northrop Grumman Information Systems. "I'm proud of the GMD team's
outstanding execution and continued commitment to help defend this
nation against an increasing threat."
During the GMD flight test, known as FTG-06b and conducted by
the U.S. Missile Defense Agency and the Boeing/Northrop Grumman
team, a ground-based interceptor was launched from Vandenberg Air
Force Base, Calif., against a target missile threat fired from a
launch complex in the Marshall
Islands.
Northrop Grumman's GMD fire control system integrated data from
the space-based infrared sensor with data from an Aegis SPY radar
and the Sea-Based X-band radar to help identify, track and
ultimately destroy the target. The company's in-flight interceptor
communications system provided target-track updates to the kill
vehicle to ensure a hit. In addition, Northrop Grumman's command
launch equipment effectively launched the interceptor.
"We used available sensor data to execute the best engagement
solution to guide the kill vehicle for target intercept. Our fire
control products continue to demonstrate their reliability for
engaging a threat," said Mark
Thornton, GMD deputy program manager for the Boeing/Northrop
Grumman team.
Northrop Grumman is responsible for designing and deploying the
fire control capability for GMD, which includes the fire control
system, in-flight interceptor communications system data terminal,
communications network equipment and system managers, and command
launch equipment. All are under contract to the GMD prime
contractor, The Boeing Company.
Over the course of the GMD program, these systems and products
have met every objective for all 23 system flight and 17 ground
tests. Northrop Grumman has also delivered and installed all of the
more than 50 contracted products on time every time and, since
2001, under budgeted costs.
Northrop Grumman personnel in Huntsville and Colorado Springs, Colo., develop the GMD
products. The hardware for the in-flight communication system is
provided by Harris Corp., a major teammate in Melbourne, Fla. Approximately 500 people are
employed on this project at these three locations and the
deployment sites.
Northrop Grumman also supported the test through its prime
contractor role at the Missile Defense Integration and Operations
Center (MDIOC) and participation in the Lockheed Martin-led Missile
Defense National Team providing software development and test
execution in the Command and Control Battle Management and
Communication (C2BMC) system. Company personnel at the MDIOC
provided engineering, flight test execution, and communications
expertise that helped the Mission Control Center Facility and the
C2BMC System Test Operational Center monitor and assess the
progress and success of the GMD flight test. In addition, C2BMC
provided communication connectivity for the Aegis ship to GMD fire
control system and situational awareness for the test mission.
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.
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SOURCE Northrop Grumman Corporation