Airborne Communications Node
July 14, 2009
SAN DIEGO - The U.S. Air Force awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) a $276 million contract on June 24 for fielding and operational deployment of the Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN), an airborne communications system that provides warfighters with critical real-time battlefield information.
The 653rd Electronic Systems Group, Hanscom Air Force Base,
Mass., made the award to fulfill an urgent and compelling requirement
for enhanced communications capability for Overseas Contingency
Operation. Tasking under the joint urgent operational need includes
installing BACN on two Bombardier BD-700 Global Express aircraft and
two Global Hawk Block 20 unmanned aerial vehicles.
The contract will also fund the company's support for continuing
operations of the existing BACN-equipped BD-700, which the Air Force
deployed to meet warfighter requirements in December 2008.
"BACN's ability to translate and share data among disparate
battlefield communications systems using our gateway manager algorithms
and Internet protocols resolves interoperability problems, provides
commanders and warfighters with battle-space-awareness, and most
importantly, gives the ground soldier persistent communications with
ground support platforms and command centers," said Roger Fujii, vice
president of Network Communication Systems for Northrop Grumman's
Information Systems sector.
Designed for use in a variety of unmanned and manned aircraft,
BACN is a forward-deployed airborne communications relay and
network-centric enterprise information server. BACN extends
communications ranges, bridges between radio frequencies and
"translates" among incompatible communications systems to enable
information sharing and enhanced situational awareness. Northrop
Grumman developed BACN under a Defense Microelectronics Activity
contract as part of the Interim Gateway program.
"Battlefield communications advancements in aerial gateway
technology have significantly enhanced our warfighter's combat
effectiveness and capability to stop the adversary while saving
countless lives of our troops and allied forces," said Colonel Cordell
DeLapena, commander of the 653rd Electronic Systems Group at Hanscom
Air Force Base, Mass.
The award solidifies Northrop Grumman's leadership in
network-centric operations while providing proven technology and
operational expertise to the combatant commanders.
Production and integration will be performed at Northrop Grumman
facilities in San Diego.
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security
company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products,
and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems,
shipbuilding and technical services to government and commercial
customers worldwide.
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