PARIS AIR SHOW, Le BOURGET, France, June 19, 2001 (PRIMEZONE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) Electronic Sensors and Systems Sector (ES3) and the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) have signed a teaming agreement focused on the introduction of a new standard in cost-effective monopulse secondary surveillance radar for the ground-based air traffic control (ATC) market. The agreement is exclusive to international ATC applications.
As the companies announced on Tuesday, the new radar system will incorporate the proven technology and heritage of Northrop Grumman ATC system architecture and the EADS MSSR 2000 I/ATC Interrogator for safe and efficient air traffic management. The agreement is a further expansion of the existing cooperation of EADS and Northrop Grumman as displayed in a common pavilion at Le Bourget. Following a general Memorandum of Understanding signed in April 2000, numerous collaborative projects in the whole field of C4ISR have been evaluated. Most recently, at Le Bourget on Monday, an agreement on the development of a system solution for NATO's Airborne Ground Surveillance requirement has been signed.
The new air traffic control monopulse secondary radar, called the ATCMS 2000, is a ground-based dual channel secondary surveillance radar with a maximum operational range of 250nm. The ATCMS 2000 is designed to provide both terminal and enroute service and will interrogate aircraft and decode replies in modes 1,2,3/A,C and Mode S. The architecture of the ATCMS 2000 supports the risk-free migration from MSSR to Mode S. Upgrades are also possible for modes B,D,4 and 5. The ATCMS is available in two configurations, colocated with the Northrop Grumman ASR-12 solid-state airport surveillance radar or stand-alone.
EADS and Northrop Grumman have combined their ATC technology and expertise to provide a highly reliable, easy to maintain air traffic control radar designed to reduce the overall cost of ownership, while exceeding the international standards for assuring safer skies.
"EADS and Northrop Grumman are bringing together an optimal mix of core competencies (sensors, IFF/Identification, system integration, and ATC operational know how) to provide this new product. It complements our full range of ATC products which include primary approach and enroute radar, secondary radar, surface radar, VHF/UHF radios, voice switches, instrument landing systems and terminal/enroute automation systems," said Don Wilhelm, vice president of Northrop Grumman's Airspace Management Systems in Baltimore, Md.
The teaming agreement takes advantage of the technology innovations of EADS Airborne Systems and Northrop Grumman's 25 years of experience in the global ATC market.
"The increase in air traffic, the demand for economic operation and stringent safety regulations create growing demand in the ATC market," explained Johann Heitzmann, head of EADS Airborne Systems, "which we can meet in a very cost-effective way by combining the existing concepts and comprehensive proficiency of our companies in this field."
EADS' newly formed S&DE business unit is one of the major suppliers of information warfare systems, particularly in the field of ISR, C3I, airborne and naval systems.
EADS has arisen from the merger of Aerospatiale Matra, Construcciones Aeronauticas S. A. and DaimlerChrysler Aerospace AG. With revenues of more than Euro 24.2 billion (2000) and 100,000 employees, EADS is the third largest aerospace company in the world. EADS has valuable capabilities and experiences in the field of enhanced ISR sensor systems, avionics and subsystems design and command, control, communications, computers and intelligence.
Headquartered in Baltimore, Md., ES3 is a world leader in the design, development and manufacture of defense electronics systems including airborne radar systems, navigation systems, electronic warfare systems, precision weapons, airspace management systems, air defense systems, communications systems, space systems, marine systems, oceanic and naval systems, logistics systems, and automation and information systems.
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a $15 billion, global aerospace and defense company with its worldwide headquarters in Los Angeles. Northrop Grumman provides technologically advanced, innovative products, services and solutions in defense and commercial electronics, systems integration, information technology and non-nuclear shipbuilding and systems. With 80,000 employees and operations in 44 states and 25 countries, Northrop Grumman serves U.S. and international military, government and commercial customers.
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