Northrop Grumman to provide real-time EO/IR imagery from UAVs

Northrop Grumman Fire Scout Aircraft Provided a Real-time Video Feed

Reference: Northrop Grumman

Image: RTAF HQ

A Northrop Grumman Corporation developed MQ-8B Fire Scout Vertical Takeoff and Landing Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (VTUAV) testing in the U.S. provided a real-time video feed of electro-optical/ infrared sensor (EO/IR) imagery to participants at the Paris Air Show recently.

The video feed was provided by a U.S. Navy aircraft flying from the Webster Annex of NAS Patuxent River, Md. The aircraft operated in a maritime training area the week of June 15 and was able to provide real-time, continuous streaming imagery of selected areas on the Chesapeake Bay and on the shoreline of Southern Maryland. Additionally, as a test of Fire Scout's communications relay capability, the U.S. Coast Guard operated a Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB) as a primary target on the water and the Air Vehicle Operator (AVO) communicated directly to the RHIB via Fire Scout. The air vehicle was commanded to "Clear Voice Relay" with one radio on an approved unused UHF frequency and the other radio was set to the Maritime Band. This configuration allowed direct communication between the AVO ashore and the RHIB operating on the water.

Utilizing a FLIR Systems Inc. BriteStar II that includes EO/IR with laser rangefinder/designator, the MQ-8B Fire Scout can find and identify tactical targets, track and designate targets, accurately provide targeting data to strike platforms and perform battle damage assessment.

"Fire Scout's ability to provide real-time EO/IR imagery in this demonstration is significant because it shows the impressive capability of the sensor and the ability to move data and imagery to remote sites in support of warfighters in the field. Fire Scout has once again proven its versatility and capability, and we experienced very good feedback from potential customers who observed this demo," said Mike Fuqua, Business Development Manager at Northrop Grumman's Aerospace Systems sector.

The U.S. Navy Fire Scout will complete Operational Evaluation this summer and is slated to deploy aboard USS McInerney (FFG-8).

Northrop Grumman to provide real-time battlefield information to overseas contingency operations

Northrop Grumman Awarded $276 Million Contract to Field Battlefield Airborne Communications Node

Reference: Northrop Grumman

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The U.S. Air Force awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation a $276 million contract on June 24 for fielding and operational deployment of the Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN), an airborne communications system that provides warfighters with critical real-time battlefield information.

The 653rd Electronic Systems Group, Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., made the award to fulfill an urgent and compelling requirement for enhanced communications capability for Overseas Contingency Operation. Tasking under the joint urgent operational need includes installing BACN on two Bombardier BD-700 Global Express aircraft and two Global Hawk Block 20 unmanned aerial vehicles.

The contract will also fund the company's support for continuing operations of the existing BACN-equipped BD-700, which the Air Force deployed to meet warfighter requirements in December 2008.

"BACN's ability to translate and share data among disparate battlefield communications systems using our gateway manager algorithms and Internet protocols resolves interoperability problems, provides commanders and warfighters with battle-space-awareness, and most importantly, gives the ground soldier persistent communications with ground support platforms and command centers," said Roger Fujii, vice president of Network Communication Systems for Northrop Grumman's Information Systems sector.

Designed for use in a variety of unmanned and manned aircraft, BACN is a forward-deployed airborne communications relay and network-centric enterprise information server. BACN extends communications ranges, bridges between radio frequencies and "translates" among incompatible communications systems to enable information sharing and enhanced situational awareness. Northrop Grumman developed BACN under a Defense Microelectronics Activity contract as part of the Interim Gateway program.

"Battlefield communications advancements in aerial gateway technology have significantly enhanced our warfighter's combat effectiveness and capability to stop the adversary while saving countless lives of our troops and allied forces," said Colonel Cordell DeLapena, commander of the 653rd Electronic Systems Group at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass.
The award solidifies Northrop Grumman's leadership in network-centric operations while providing proven technology and operational expertise to the combatant commanders.

Production and integration will be performed at Northrop Grumman facilities in San Diego

Northropp Grumman to support net-centric space situational awareness

Northrop Grumman Awarded Contract to Develop Space Fence Technology

Reference: Northrop Grumman

Image: Defense Tech

Northrop Grumman Corporation has been awarded the first phase of a $30 million firm-fixed price U.S. Air Force contract to develop a global space surveillance ground radar system.

The new S-Band Space Fence is part of the U.S. Department of Defense's effort to track and detect what is commonly referred to as resident space objects (RSO), consisting of thousands of pieces of "space debris" as well as commercial and military satellites. Space Fence will replace the current VHF Air Force Space Surveillance System built in 1961.

Space Fence will provide continuous, net-centric space situational awareness by detecting smaller objects in low and medium earth orbit. The current system requires constant sustainment intervention to maintain operations and does not address the growing population of small and micro satellites in orbit.

"The new Space Fence system will provide better accuracy and faster detection while allowing us to increase the number of satellites and other space objects that can be detected and tracked, thus avoiding collision and damage to other satellites," said Rich Davis, director of special projects at Northrop Grumman's Advanced Concepts and Technology Division.

Australia is a candidate for the first Space Fence location. Two additional sites in other parts of the world are also under consideration.

Further reading: Space Fence reinvented (C4ISR Journal)