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ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill., Aug. 25, 2004. Northrop Grumman Corporation has been selected by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for Phase II of the Counter-Man Portable Air Defense Systems (Counter-MANPADS) program, which is designed to protect commercial aircraft from attack by ground-based, shoulder-fired missiles.
Managed by DHS's Science and Technology directorate, Phase II is slated to last 18 months, concluding in January 2006.
During the Phase II contract, which is valued at $45 million, Northrop Grumman will complete the design, fabrication, installation, flight testing and certification of prototype counter-MANPADS systems for two commercial aircraft: the Boeing 747 and the MD-11.
In a competing bid, BAE Systems also advanced to Phase II of the program.
Northrop Grumman is adapting its directional infrared countermeasure (DIRCM) system for this program. The anti-missile system is currently in production and deployed on a variety of military aircraft around the world.
"Countering the potential threat from shoulder-fired missiles demands the most capable, field-proven technologies available," said Robert Del Boca, vice president of Infrared Countermeasures and Laser Systems for Northrop Grumman's Electronic Systems sector. "Northrop Grumman is uniquely positioned to offer this world-class proven technology and to do so in an affordable manner."
"Northrop Grumman is committed to supporting the Department's fight against low-altitude threats," said David Zolet, vice president of Homeland Security for Northrop Grumman Corporation. "This program is an integral first step in a layered defense for our national airspace."
Northrop Grumman is supported by two key industry partners on its counter-MANPADS team: Federal Express and Northwest Airlines. Federal Express will provide engineering services for installation, and aircraft modification and certification. Northwest Airlines will provide engineering and technical services to develop a commercially viable equipment set suitable for operation within commercial airframes.
In Phase I, which began in January 2004, Northrop Grumman developed a detailed design and an analysis of the economic, manufacturing and maintenance issues needed to support an anti-missile system that would be effective in the commercial aviation environment.
For more information, see www.northropgrumman.com.
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