Northrop Grumman Establishes Premier Missile Defense Engineering Center
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HUNTSVILLE, Ala., Oct. 9, 2006 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) announced today the company has established a high technology Missile Defense Engineering and Analysis Center (MDEAC), a state-of-the-art capability that will support the nation's integrated air and missile defense mission, at the company's Cummings Research Park complex in Huntsville, Ala.
The Missile Defense Engineering and Analysis Center combines unique resources with experienced personnel from across the company to provide an air and missile defense center of excellence that will support the nation's needs in this critical mission area.
"Our employee base in Huntsville is rich with exceptional technical talent and subject matter expertise," said Gary Abercrombie, vice president for Northrop Grumman's Huntsville-based Missile Defense Programs organization. "This center represents a concerted effort by Northrop Grumman to provide the best resources possible to help our Army and Missile Defense Agency customers achieve their vision of an effective integrated air and missile defense capability."
The center draws together personnel with extensive air and missile defense development experience, including software and systems engineers and analysts, and specialists in enabling technologies, interoperability, and integration, to develop the world's most advanced systems and software technologies.
A key software technology associated with the MDEAC is the Northrop Grumman developed GEM/NOVA (Global Engagement Model/Northrop Grumman Orbital Visualization Agent) framework, a warfighter focused system-of-systems modeling, simulation, visualization and analysis tool that can evaluate the contributions of various elements within given ballistic missile defense systems (BMDS) and integrated air and missile defense architectures.
GEM/NOVA provides a full, global display of the entire air and missile defense arena from any perspective -- ground, air, sea or space. With the touch of a hand, users can call up ancillary pop-up displays with predictive information, watch the modeled scenario unfold, gain insight into what the automated battle manager is going to do before it happens, and adjust the battle manager's decision criteria to determine the optimal rules of engagement.
"The greatest thing about GEM/NOVA is that it allows us to look at the nation's air and missile defense architecture from a system-of-systems perspective, to include every system from every military service. We can then use that insight to help plan the next generation architecture, as well as improve today's systems," said Frank Moore, vice president, Missile Defense Division, Northrop Grumman Mission Systems sector. "GEM/NOVA is a valuable corporate asset that helps to determine how to field an effective and affordable BMDS given the realities of budget restrictions and escalating costs associated with testing fielded systems."
Northrop Grumman stood up an initial capability for the MDEAC in January with a total of 50 people. The company expects to have a fully operational capability in place in early 2007.
Northrop Grumman employs approximately 1,200 people in 18 locations in the Huntsville area. Several of the current operations will be consolidated in a new headquarters facility scheduled to open in Feb. 2007, which will house offices, laboratories and research and development centers.
Key Huntsville activities in Huntsville include developing the fire control and communications component for the Kinetic Energy Interceptor (KEI) program, as well as KEI integration, test, and systems engineering work; developing the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) Fire Control System; serving as a key member of the Missile Defense National Team for Command and Control, Battle Management and Communications; developing and fielding advanced tactical command posts under the Command Post Platform program; serving as the prime contractor for Forward Area Air Defense, a command-and-control capability that helps protect ground forces against enemy aircraft while protecting friendly aircraft; and producing the Longbow missile and Viper Strike munition.
The company's major area customers include the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command; Army Aviation and Missile Command; the Army Program Executive Office for Aviation; the Army Program Executive Office for Missiles and Space; and elements of the Missile Defense Agency.
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a global defense company headquartered in Los Angeles, Calif. Northrop Grumman provides technologically advanced, innovative products, services and solutions in systems integration, defense electronics, information technology, advanced aircraft, shipbuilding and space technology. With more than 120,000 employees, and operations in all 50 states and 25 countries, Northrop Grumman serves U.S. and international military, government and commercial customers.
CONTACT:
Marynoele Benson
Northrop Grumman Mission Systems
(703) 741-7723
Marynoele.benson@ngc.com
