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February 28, 5:15 EST
WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. -- Engineers at Northrop Grumman Corp.'s Navigation Systems division recently developed a new ruggedized Next Generation Handheld (NGH) computer for defense, public safety and paramilitary applications.
"The NGH is a small, light-weight, ruggedized computer that offers customers sunlight-readability and night usability features with a long battery life," says Jay Bass, program manager of Man Portable Systems at the Navigation Systems Division. "Our new computer is a virtual 'drop-in' replacement for Northrop Grumman's predecessor Handheld Terminal Unit (HTU) and utilizes the same radio and power cables."
The NGH was recently chosen for the U.K. Ministry of Defense's BOWMAN battlefield communications system, Northrop Grumman officials say. Northrop Grumman designed a special NGH for BOWMAN with a 10.4-inch touchscreen display. More than 10,000 NGHs, known as vehicle user data terminals, will be built and delivered to British forces. Northrop Grumman has delivered more than 6,400 HTUs, primarily to U.S. Army customers, company officials say.
The NGH provides a dual channel tactical modem that permits immediate connectivity to more than 25 tactical communications devices using standard U.S. military and NATO protocols, Northrop Grumman officials say. It can also be used for most military handheld and vehicle-mounted applications. The NGH, which uses a Mk VII Laser Rangefinder, built by Northrop Grumman's Laser Systems business unit in Apopka, Fla., and a Rockwell-Collins Precision Lightweight GPS Receiver, can provide integrated precision targeting to pinpoint enemy targets and can send digital calls for fire to an artillery battery, company officials say.
The standard NGH uses a Pentium MMX 166 MHz processor to extend battery life and a Pentium III 500 MHz processor is available for use in vehicles where power is supplied. Other processor options are also available. The low-power sunlight readable display is dimmable for night operations. A "hot swap" rechargeable battery provides over five hours of power and the battery can be replaced without turning the unit off. The keyboard backlight offers three intensity settings for night operations, and the keyboard acts as the NGH's case cover, protecting the display and keyboard, Northrop Grumman officials say. The company is set to begin full-scale production of the NGH in May 2002.
Northrop Grumman's Navigation Systems Division provides situational awareness for the defense, civil and commercial markets. It offers integrated avionics, inertial navigation and guidance systems, satellite electronics, Identification Friend or Foe systems, rugged conventional and smart displays, rugged handheld
computers and workstations, rugged rack systems, fiber-optic sensors and systems, and logistic support products and services.
For more information about NGH contact Northrop Grumman on the World Wide Web at http://www.northropgrumman.com.
Military & Aerospace Electronics
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