Northrop Grumman has picked up two contracts for the Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS) worth a potential $132million.
The JSTARS programme, which will run for 30 months, comprises a base $47million contract and a $58million increase for additional improvements. Under the base contract, Northrop Grumman will integrate new powerful central computers and workstations as well as installing the new hardware in the third development aircraft.
Marty Dandridge, vice-president and general manager of Surveillance and Battle Management Systems for Northrop Grumman's Electronics and Systems Integration Division, explains that the upgrade will add computers which are considerably faster than the originals.
Multiplied
"We have multiplied the JSTARS memory capacity, computing speed and power several times over the life of the programme.
"We've been able to take advantage of familiar, user-friendly applications such as X-Windows to make JSTARS a more effective asset for the Air Force and the Army."
The additional contracts improvement includes the replacement of programmable signal processors (PSPs) and replacement of the copper wiring of the workstation network with a high-capacity switch and fibre optic cables.
Most of the work, due for completion in October 1999 will be undertaken at Northrop Grumman's Surveillance and Battle Management Systems facility in Melbourne, Florida.
Source: Flight Daily News
