Flight International online news 12:00GMT : Northrop Grumman Corporation has opened a new electronic-warfare systems-integration laboratory that will be used to support the development of the airborne electronic-attack system for the US Navy's EA-18G aircraft. The system is scheduled to begin entering the fleet in 2009.
The company's Bethpage organisation, part of its Integrated Systems sector, was selected to be the airborne electronic-attack system integrator for the EA-18G.
"After decades of success with the electronic-warfare capabilities of the EA-6B Prowler, the Navy will transition to the EA-18G to continue our nation's domination of the electronic battle space," says Patricia McMahon, vice president and integrated product team lead for electronic warfare programmes in Northrop Grumman Integrated Systems. "This laboratory will ensure the successful development of the EA-18G and will help reinforce an industry position we've held for decades as the world's leading systems integrator in airborne electronic attack."
The Navy selected a Boeing and Northrop Grumman-led team to build on the recently introduced improved capability (ICAP) III airborne electronic-attack system, which was developed for the current Prowler fleet, and design a new system for the Prowler's eventual replacement, a derivative of the F/A-18E/F. The first ICAP III Prowler was delivered to the Navy this year and the first squadron - VAQ-139 - is now working up to its first deployment.
"We needed this new laboratory to build on the ICAP III system and its strengths. It is the foundation for the EA-18G and its future capabilities for our Navy customer," says McMahon. "The war on terrorism has shown us that we need to give our forces more tools to negate terrorists' weaponry and their ability to communicate and coordinate using advanced electronics. The ICAP III Prowler does that today, and the EA-18G will do even more in the future."
Source: Flight International
