Northrop Grumman, Mitsubishi Electric to Develop EW Systems, Radars and UUVs

Northrop Grumman Corporation and Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (MELCO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Wednesday to jointly develop key capabilities, including electronic warfare, radar, and uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUVs).

In an official statement, the companies said the MOU was signed to explore new opportunities for mission solutions in the United States and Japan. Under this MOU, Northrop Grumman and MELCO will pursue opportunities to deliver key capabilities, including electronic warfare, radar, power systems, connectivity, communications and processing, modeling and simulation, underwater sensors, and UUVs. Both companies will collaborate on strategic industrial co-production opportunities and full lifecycle capabilities, including logistics and sustainment.

This development comes amid increasing cooperation between Japan and the United States. The United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom are exploring collaboration with Japan on advanced defense projects under AUKUS, which includes Australia's pursuit of conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines. Japan has reportedly dispatched a defense official to the U.S. to learn about railgun development. U.S. and Japanese authorities are discussing enhanced defense collaboration, focusing on maintaining U.S. warships and aircraft in Japan and jointly advancing weaponry development.