To bolster its military capabilities, the US Department of Defense has awarded Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. two radar contracts totalling more than $585m.
These contracts signify a step forward in the nation's defence technology, focusing on enhancing air surveillance, air defence, and electronic warfare management systems.
Transforming air defence with radar systems
The first contract, awarded to Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. based in Linthicum Heights, Maryland, is valued at $513m. This contract modification aims to procure up to 14 full-rate production Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) systems.
These systems offer multi-mission capabilities, consolidating the roles of five separate radars into one, providing air defence for the US armed forces and international partners. With a completion date set for October 2028, this contract represents an advancement in the nation's air surveillance capabilities.
According to GlobalData's "The Land Based Military Radar Market 2019-2029" report, the programmes and investments undertaken by the US DoD are expected to drive the overall spending of North America to a cumulative value of $21bn during 2019-2029.
The G/ATOR system, officially known as the AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar, is a three-dimensional, multi-mode system equipped with a gallium nitride (GaN) Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA).
This radar, which entered full-rate production in June 2019, ensures coverage, detection and tracking of a range of airborne threats, including cruise missiles, aircraft, remotely piloted vehicles, and rocket and artillery fire. Consolidating multiple functions into a single system streamlines training and reduces complexity, ultimately lowering costs for the Marine Corps.
Advancing electronic warfare with AN/APR-39D(V)2 systems
The second contract, awarded to Northrop Grumman Systems in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, is valued at $72.8m. This contract will provide the necessary hardware and technical support for producing and delivering 51 AN/APR-39D(V)2 Radar Warning Receiver/Electronic Warfare Management Systems.
Out of these, 38 are designated for the US Navy, and 13 will be supplied to the government of Nigeria. Additionally, 27 D(V)2 battery handle assemblies will be produced, with 15 allocated for the US Navy and 12 for Nigeria.
The AN/APR-39D(V)2 is essential to modern aircrew survivability. In today's complex electronic battlefield, aircrews face multiple multispectral threats that require digital radar sensors and countermeasures.
The AN/APR-39D(V)2 maximises survivability and enhances aircrew situational awareness by managing all onboard sensors and countermeasures interactively. This digital radar warning receiver, already in production for the Army, Navy, and Marines, protects various aircraft types from modern threats, ensuring the safety of aircrews.
The cumulative market for global expenditure on military radar is valued at $134.3bn over the forecast period. The market consists of three categories: air, land, and maritime radar, according to GlobalData's "The Global Military Radar Market Forecast 2022-2032".
