Northrop Highlights its Key Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Capabilities

Northrop Grumman Corporation will show case  its vital intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) functionalities with the NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) and the Euro Hawk platforms at the ILA Berlin Air Show, in June 2010.

These platforms form the Global Hawk unmanned aircraft system’s (UAS) international derivatives for the RQ-4 High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) system. The Euro Hawk was initially launched in October 2009 during an unveiling ceremony at the Palmdale, Calif-based facility of Northrop Grumman.

The EuroHawk GmbH alliance between EADS Defence and Security and Northrop Grumman is focusing on the development of the unmanned reconnaissance and signals intelligence (SIGINT) system of the Euro Hawk. This system has been built on the Block20 version of the Global Hawk configuration. Its wing span is bigger than a commercial airliner. A novel EADS-developed SIGINT mission system will be integrated in the Euro Hawk that will function as the HALE SIGINT system of the German Air Force. This system will offer standoff functionality for sensing communications intelligence (COMINT) or electronic intelligence (ELINT) transmitters.

Northrop Grumman is also the Melbourne, Fla-based NATO AGS system facility’s major contractor. NATO AGS will deploy the Global Hawk unmanned aircraft’s Block 40 version, resulting in its first global sale.

The NATO AGS system’s airborne component will be equipped with the new generation ground surveillance radar sensor of the Northrop Grumman’s Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program (MP-RTIP). Besides this component, the European industry will also be providing the long range, beyond line of sight wideband data links. The MP-RTIP sensor was created for allowing a network-centric method that can perform the complete range of NATO missions from crisis to peacetime management.

The program’s ground component will be totally developed by the European industry, providing the capability for national re-use during other programs. The AGS system offers real-time target identification, data, and intelligence to the NATO members for in as well as beyond line of sight.