REDONDO BEACH, Calif.,
Dec. 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The
steady production of the fourth Advanced Extremely High Frequency
(AEHF) protected military communications satellite continues on
track with Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE: NOC) delivery of
the fourth payload to AEHF prime contractor Lockheed Martin 4 1/2
months early.
A photo accompanying this release is available at:
http://media.globenewswire.com/noc/mediagallery.html?pkgid=29506.
The payload's phased array, nulling and advanced v-band
crosslink antennas were integrated and tested with the payload
module that Northrop Grumman shipped earlier this year. The module
contains the processing, routing and control hardware and software
that perform the satellite's communications function. Launch of the
U.S. Air Force's fourth AEHF satellite currently is scheduled for
2017.
The industry AEHF team is using a new hybrid satellite
integration and test approach that allows Lockheed Martin to begin
satellite bus unit integration while a team from Northrop Grumman
simultaneously completes the payload integration. This method was
jointly developed with Lockheed Martin and the Air Force Space and
Missile Systems Center.
"This hybrid approach is providing an overall reduction in
program cost and schedule," said Stuart
Linsky, vice president, Communication Programs, Northrop
Grumman Aerospace Systems. "We fully expect to see these savings on
flights 5 and 6 as well."
"We expected the hybrid approach to give our team more
flexibility and efficiency, and it has exceeded our expectations,"
said Mark Calassa, vice president,
Protected Communication Systems, Lockheed Martin Space Systems.
Northrop Grumman also delivered payload modules for the first,
second and third Advanced EHF satellites ahead of schedule in 2007,
2008 and 2009 respectively.
One Advanced EHF satellite provides greater total capacity than
the entire 5-satellite legacy Milstar constellation with individual
user data rates up to five times greater than seen on the Milstar
system. The higher data rates will permit two-way, jam-resistant
transmission of tactical military communication such as real-time
video, battlefield maps and targeting data.
In addition to its critical tactical mission, Advanced EHF also
will provide the survivable, protected and endurable communications
to National Command Authority including presidential conferencing
in all levels of conflict.
Advanced EHF satellite payloads contain a full range of features
that protect against a wide range of threats. These capabilities
include anti-jamming, low probability of detection and intercept,
rapid recovery during a nuclear event, the ability to operate
through scintillation, greatly reduced risk from physical attack to
ground systems, and significant protection from cyber attack
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