Key Prime Contracts Awarded For Future Combat Systems Development

SPACEWAR

the wireless soldier of the future will be be just one more node in vast network human and machine assets

Reston - Oct 27, 2003
Northrop Grumman Corporation's Mission Systems sector has been awarded two prime and two subcontractor contracts totaling $260 million to support development of the U.S. Army's Future Combat System (FCS) program.

The lead systems integrator team of The Boeing Company and Science Applications International Corporation selected the Mission Systems sector as prime contractor on the Logistics Decision Support System and the Network Management System. The sector also will support Honeywell International on the Platform Soldier Mission Readiness System and Austin Information Services as a subcontractor on the Situation Understanding program.

FCS is a networked "system of systems" that will use advanced communication technologies to link 18 manned and unmanned ground and airborne platforms and sensors. Mission Systems is one of four company sectors working on the Department of Defense initiative to transform the Army into a more agile force capable of going anywhere with enough power to overcome any adversary.

"Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is honored to be part of this important, consequential program," said Donald C. Winter, president, Northrop Grumman Mission Systems. "As the current leader in tactical communications network development and tactical logistics systems integration for the Army, we are confident we can help the FCS program meet its key goals in advancing the Army's transformational efforts."

As prime contractor for the Logistics Decision Support System, Northrop Grumman will conduct sustainment planning, assessment, execution and monitoring services for Army elements and units throughout the FCS unit of action. Work will include designing, developing, integrating, testing and delivering logistical command and control software for the FCS platforms.

The FCS Network Management Systems contract provides for planning, faults, performance, security, spectrum and policy management, and network communication services. The program involves the design, development, test and delivery of the network management software. Mission Systems' selection as prime contractor for both these systems establishes the company as a leader in the integration of Army logistics systems and tactical communications.

"As the Army continues to transform into a network-centric objective force, both network management and logistics decision support systems will be critical capabilities of the Future Combat System," said Otto Guenther, vice president and general manager of the Mission Systems Tactical Systems Division. "We've seen technology's potential in combat; improvements in transformational capabilities like tactical command and control provided an overwhelming edge in Operation Iraqi Freedom."

Northrop Grumman's Electronic Systems, Integrated Systems, Information Technology and Mission Systems sectors serve as either prime contractors or subcontractors on 10 of the FCS program's 21 concept and development teams. In addition to its four contract awards, Mission Systems is also supporting the Information Technology sector on the Training Support Packages contract and Integrated Systems on the Class IV Unmanned Aerial Vehicle segment.

The teams' work is expected to lead to initial production and operational capability phases by the end of the decade. The FCS contracts awarded to the company as a whole could exceed $450 million, making Northrop Grumman the top contractor on the project.

SPACEWAR

EU Plans To Launch Security Research Programme

Paris - Oct 21, 2003
A Group of selected personalities from government, industry and academia gathered on 6 October 2003 to define a European agenda for security research. The Group, convened by Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin along with Enterprise and Information Society Commissioner Erkki Liikanen, will advise the Commission on the implementation of a Preparatory Action, with �65 million in funding for 2004-2006.

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