October 25, 2023 | International, Aerospace
Atlas, other ‘troubled’ Space Force programs to miss 2023 deliveries
The programs include GPS OCX, ATLAS and MGUE — three efforts that have faced repeated delays in recent years.
October 16, 2018 | International, C4ISR
Army looking for software, not hardware for electronic warfare
By: Mark Pomerleau
Army leaders say they are looking for more software-centric solutions that would more quickly detect and understand signals in the electromagnetic spectrum, a move away from traditional hardware solutions that perform the same task.
In the electronic warfare space, some nations, such as Russia and China, have been able to take advantage of advancements in software capabilities that allow them to rapidly changes signals and signatures, which makes defense and signal classification more difficult.
As a result,“we're trying to get away from a hardware solution and go to more of a software solution so that way as that threat evolves we're able to more quickly address it,” Col. Kevin Finch, program manager for Electronic Warfare and Cyber at Program Executive Office Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors, told C4SIRNET sister site Defense News in an interview during the AUSA annual meeting in early October. “That's been one of our main thrusts.”
Nations such as China are “masters of changing their signals,” Jerry Parker, senior vice president of C4ISR and electronic warfare at defense contractor CACI, said at the same conference.
“Every day we're seeing new [radio frequency] signatures coming from them for a myriad of things, whether it's a new RF link for communications, a new RF link for controlling [an unmanned aircraft system],” he said.
Parker said CACI wants to develop a more open architecture system for the government and other contractors to be able to create their own software based capabilities. This is similar to the iPhone model in which a single hardware box can host a variety of software applications developed my numerous third party organizations.
This way, Parker said, companies and the government don't have to build a new platform every time a new signal emerges.
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June 17, 2020 | International, Aerospace
Northrop Grumman Continues Support for US Air Force Infrared Countermeasures Systems
Rolling Meadows, Ill. – June 16, 2020 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has been awarded an order to provide Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasure (LAIRCM) systems and support to the U.S. Air Force. The $151.3 million award was received as part of an existing indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract. “Northrop Grumman has been providing infrared threat protection to the U.S. Air Force for nearly two decades,” said Bob Gough, vice president, navigation, targeting and survivability, Northrop Grumman. “This order helps us to continue providing upgrades, modifications and production installations on numerous aircraft.” The LAIRCM system defends domestic and international aircrews by detecting, tracking and jamming incoming infrared threats. The system automatically counters advanced infrared missile systems by directing a high-intensity laser beam into the missile seeker. Under this latest order, Northrop Grumman will provide systems to support upgrades, modifications and production installations on a number of aircraft including the C-17, HC/MC-130J, KC-46, P-8, CH-53K, C-37 and head of state aircraft. Northrop Grumman's IRCM systems are installed on more than 1,500 aircraft of more than 80 types worldwide. Northrop Grumman solves the toughest problems in space, aeronautics, defense and cyberspace to meet the ever evolving needs of our customers worldwide. Our 90,000 employees define possible every day using science, technology and engineering to create and deliver advanced systems, products and services. Media Contact Bailey O'Malia Communications Manager, Land & Avionics C4ISR (224) 625-6547 Bailey.omalia@ngc.com View source version on Northrop Grumman: https://news.northropgrumman.com/news/releases/northrop-grumman-continues-support-for-us-air-force-infrared-countermeasures-systems
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December 17, 2021 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security
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