Northrop Grumman Wins Two Contracts Worth $293 Million

Northrop Grumman today announced that it has won two contracts, each serving a five-year term.

The first contract has been awarded by U.K. MoD to support its Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) systems.

The contract which is estimated at $120 million (£80m), Northrop Grumman will provide repair, engineering sustainment, logistics and training services to the MoD.

"For nearly 20 years, we have been working in partnership with the U.K. MoD to give military aircrews protection from infrared-guided missiles," said Carl Smith, vice president of infrared countermeasures at Northrop Grumman's Land and Self Protection Systems Division.

The LAIRCM systems are designed to protect aircraft from infrared surface-to-air guided missiles. The system functions by automatically detecting a missile launch, determining if it is a threat, and activating a high-intensity, laser-based countermeasure system to track and defeat the missile.

The second one is a $173 million performance-based logistics contract to provide support and sustainment services for the LITENING advanced targeting system.

Under the five-year agreement, Northrop Grumman will provide logistics support, technical support to the field, aircrew and maintenance training, depot repairs and other associated services. Northrop Grumman will support the LITENING targeting systems operated by the Air Combat Command, Air Force Reserves, Air National Guard, Marine Corps and Marine Corps Reserves. Northrop Grumman will also provide support services to the Italian and Spanish navies.

"This award continues our 15-year partnership with the Department of Defense in supporting the warfighters who rely on the LITENING system," said Jim Mocarski, vice president of airborne tactical sensors at Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems.

LITENING's forward-looking infrared, charged-coupled device, laser imaging sensors, advanced image processing and digital video output provide superior imagery, allowing aircrews to identify and engage targets under a wide range of battlefield conditions. LITENING has been integrated on a wide variety of Coalition aircraft.