Northrop Grumman has been selected to modernize and sustain the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) joint command and control (C2) system used to provide accurate, complete and timely information for the armed forces operational chain of command.

Under the Encore II contracting vehicle from the Defense Information Systems Agency, Northrop Grumman was awarded $58 million for the base year of a task order for Global Command and Control System-Joint (GCCS-J) engineering support services. The contract has a potential value of $211 million over 54 months, if all options are exercised.

"Northrop Grumman's approach integrates cross-domain C2 and intelligence systems to deliver a more affordable joint C2 capability," said Pat Camacho, vice president of integrated command, control, communications and intelligence systems for Northrop Grumman Information Systems.

"In addition, the use of our CMMI Level 5 agile development and system integration processes will provide flexibility for responding to emerging warfighter needs."

GCCS-J program objectives include modernizing the architecture in compliance with Joint C2 Common Architecture standards, accelerating the integration of warfighter capabilities and significantly reducing life cycle costs. Tasking under the contract includes systems engineering, security engineering, development and sustainment of applications for situational awareness, force protection, C2 and intelligence support.

The Northrop Grumman-led team includes Raytheon Trusted Computer Solutions, Herndon, Va.; Mandex Inc., Fairfax, Va.; Trinity Information Technology, Holland, Pa.; J5 Systems, San Diego; SAP Government Support and Services Inc., Bethesda, Md.; Engility Corp., Mt. Laurel, N.J.; General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems Inc., Fairfax, Va.; Alisco Computer Consulting Inc., Raleigh, N.C.; Distributed Technologies Inc., Alexandria, Va.; and TrustedQA Inc., Reston, Va.

GCCS-J provides worldwide connectivity with all levels of command and incorporates systems for situational awareness, support for intelligence, force planning, readiness assessment, and deployment applications that battlefield commanders require to effectively plan and execute joint military operations.

Northrop Grumman is a leading provider of command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems, including tactical to strategic C2, for the DOD.

The company has pioneered open systems standards for 30 years including the development of the Agile Client and the Modular Open Systems Approach - CompetitiveTM model.