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).

U.S. Navy submarines to improve interoperability with the global information grid

Lockheed Martin to Upgrade U.S. Navy Submarine Communication Mast Antenna Systems

Reference: Lockheed Martin

Image: Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin, in a joint venture with Granite State Manufacturing (GSM), received a $6.9 million contract from the U.S. Navy to design, test and manufacture an upgraded Multifunction Mast Antenna System to improve submarine communications.

Currently, all U.S. Navy submarines operating at periscope depth, including the new Virginia-class attack submarines, use the antenna system as their primary method to communicate with aircraft, surface ships and land-based assets.

The system – designated the OE-538 – provides high performance, erectable mast-mounted communication and navigation capabilities. The upgraded OE-538/BRC Multifunction Mast Antenna System will provide submarine communications with improved performance in the UHF signal band. It also will add LINK 16, Iridium and Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) UHF satellite communications capabilities, while maintaining performance in legacy bands. Lockheed Martin expects to upgrade and return to the fleet at least 12 systems per year over six years. If all options are exercised, the cumulative value of the contract is estimated at $57.6 million.

“Lockheed Martin has provided more than 90 OE-538 systems for the U.S. and allied navies since 1989,” said Joe Rappisi, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin’s Marion-based business. “This upgrade ensures compatibility with new satellites and evolving communication systems to ensure that submarine forces will remain connected to the global information grid.”

Lockheed to perform radar concept studies for U.S. Navy

Lockheed Martin to Develop Concept for New U.S. Navy Air and Missile Defense Radar

Reference: Lockheed Martin

Image: World Military Forum

The U.S. Navy has awarded Lockheed Martin a $10 million firm-fixed-price contract to perform concept studies for the Air and Missile Defense Radar (AMDR), a scalable solid-state radar suite for future surface combatants.

Comprised of an S-Band radar, an X-Band radar and a Radar Suite Controller (RSC), AMDR is intended to significantly enhance a ship’s defensive capability against advanced anti-ship and ballistic missile threats. Lockheed Martin was one of three industry teams to receive AMDR contracts, which will focus on the S-Band radar and RSC during this six-month concept studies phase.

Under the contract, Lockheed Martin will evaluate potential system configurations. Subsequent phases, including technology development, engineering and manufacturing development, production and follow-on support, will be the subject of future competitive procurements.

The work will be performed at Lockheed Martin’s Moorestown, NJ facility.

Boeing will upgrade data communications on U.S. Navy destroyers

Boeing Awarded Additional US Navy Communications Network Design Services Contract

Reference: Boeing
Image: Steelnavy.com

The Boeing Company has been awarded a U.S. Navy contract valued at $42.9 million including options to continue providing communications network design and technical engineering services on guided missile destroyers. The sole-source contract supports the AN/USQ-82 Gigabit Ethernet and Fiber Optic Data Multiplex System (GEDMS/FODMS) program and is a five-year cost-plus, fixed-fee term contract.

This contract is part of the U.S. Navy's effort to build, operate and modernize the DDG-51 class guided missile destroyers. GEDMS also is included in the Aegis weapon system package for various foreign navies.

Boeing has developed a complete information-transfer system that enhances reliability, maintainability and survivability by managing data from the ship's navigation, steering-control, damage-control, machinery-control, combat and internal communications systems. The Data Multiplex System network design replaces the miles of point-to-point cables, signal converters, junction boxes and switchboards associated with conventional cabling on a guided missile destroyer.