DaimlerChrysler Aerospace (Dasa) and Northrop Grumman have widened the scope of a recent proposal to form a strategic alliance, highlighting a further seven areas of collaboration in addition to the six niche sectors outlined in an April agreement (Flight International, 2-8 May).
The pair have named space equipment, interoperability technology, aerial targets, scenario analysis, towed devices, airborne electronic attack and fire control radar as new areas of potential collaboration. They have also signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly offer the Northrop Grumman's APN-241 weather and navigation radar to Airbus Military Company for the A400M tactical transport.
In April, Dasa and Northrop selected ground surveillance systems, high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned air vehicles (UAVs), maritime UAV technology, including real-time signal processing, military transport radar, naval radars and wide bandwidth datalinks as areas for potential co-operation.
Dasa is to become part of EADS (European Aeronautic Defense and Space) and Ralph Crosby, president Northrop Grumman Integrated Systems and Aero-structures sector, says the relationship is likely to be extended to other EADS companies. He says: "We will focus on distinct groups and if it goes further, we will build from the ground up rather than the other way around." It is not clear where the work will lead, he adds, but the US company sees "great value in having European partners".
Thomas Enders, head of Dasa's defence and civil systems business, says: "Whether this pragmatic approach will lead to a broader strategic relationship remains to be seen, but it is not essential at this point."
Two key programmes for the Northrop Grumman/Dasa link, says Crosby, are the NATAR air-to-ground surveillance radar and an emerging German requirement for a high-altitude, long-endurance UAV which could be fulfilled by the US company's RQ-4A Global Hawk equipped with Dasa sensors and mission systems. Northrop Grumman could also offer German-developed mission packages - such as signals intelligence - for other customers.
Northrop Grumman and Airbus - formed from the three EADS companies and BAE Systems - also have an agreement to offer the A321 as the platform for Northrop Grumman-led NATAR air-to-ground surveillance radar.
Source: Flight International
