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Aerospace

Northrop Grumman’s aerospace systems operate from the high ground

Northrop Grumman is a premier developer, integrator, producer and supporter of manned and unmanned aircraft, spacecraft, high-energy laser systems, microelectronics and other systems and subsystems critical to maintaining the nation’s security and leadership in science and technology. These systems are used, primarily by government customers, in many different mission areas including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; communications; battle management; strike operations; electronic warfare; missile defense; earth observation; space science; and space exploration.

The systems operate across a wide variety of missions. The defense systems, for example, may have strategic, theater or tactical applications.

Strategic systems include the KC-30 tanker proposed for the next-generation air refueling fleet needed to support America’s worldwide military operations; space-based payloads that provide critical worldwide military communications; the B-2 bomber that, flying stealthy strike missions from its base in Missouri, can reach targets anywhere in the world; and the Space Tracking and Surveillance System, a satellite constellation that will enable precise tracking of enemy ballistic missiles in all phases of flight.

Theater systems include the Global Hawk unmanned high-altitude surveillance aircraft that has been the leading provider of situational awareness data in Afghanistan and Iraq; Joint STARS aircraft that provide advanced targeting and battle management capabilities; the E-2C Hawkeye airborne battle management aircraft, which has been managing air operations and providing tactical information to ground combat troops in Iraq and controlled air rescue activities in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina; and the F-35 Lightning II that all U.S. military services are acquiring as their primary next-generation fighter aircraft.

Tactical systems include the Fire Scout vertical takeoff and landing unmanned aerial vehicles that will carry out local operations from onboard the next-generation Littoral Combat Ship, and the Skyguard ground-based laser for local missile defense at airports.

Space science and earth observation systems range even further: the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System constellation will monitor the Earth’s atmosphere, while the James Webb Space Telescope, from its viewing orbit a million miles from Earth, will show us the origins of our universe, studying galaxies billions of light-years away.

The Aerospace business is composed of the company’s Integrated Systems and Space Technology sectors

Integrated Systems sector
Our Integrated Systems sector designs, develops, produces and supports network-enabled integrated systems and sub-systems for U.S. government, civil and international customers. It also supports the military with intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; battle management command and control; and integrated strike warfare. More...

Space Technology sector
Our Space Technology sector develops a broad range of systems at the leading edge of space, defense and electronics technology. The sector is a leading developer of military and civil space systems, satellite payloads and advanced technologies from high-power lasers to high-performance microelectronics. More...

	As the only long-range, large payload aircraft that can penetrate deep into protected airspace, the B-2 Spirit is being upgraded to enhance its ability to respond to emerging worldwide threats. The B-2 helps position the company to participate in all three phases of the Air Force’s next-generation Long Range Strike strategy.
	The National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System, designed to serve civil, military and scientific communities, will deliver data more quickly to allow faster, more accurate short- and long-range forecasts and weather modeling.
	Northrop Grumman is developing the Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program (MP-RTIP) radar, which will give commanders unprecedented abilities in ground surveillance and cruise missile defense over a wide geographic area. The Global Hawk version of the MP-RTIP sensor is in flight test and a larger wide-area surveillance version is in development.
	The Cyber Warfare Integration Network (CWIN) engineering environment supports battlefield operations and system-of-systems development. It allows collaboration among platforms, sensors, weapons and battle management/command and control planning and decision tools to represent a variety of complex environments.
	The KC-30 Tanker is being offered as the next-generation tanker for the U.S. Air Force. Based on a highly reliable commercial aircraft, it carries 25 percent more fuel than the existing KC-135. In addition to mid-air refueling, the KC-30 offers significant passenger and cargo transport options.
	Operating autonomously, Global Hawk can fly as high as 65,000 feet for more than 36 hours with a range of 13,500 nautical miles. Onboard sensors provide high-quality imagery even in adverse weather conditions. Its high altitude and long endurance allow it to surveil 40,000 square miles, an area approximately the size of Illinois.
	Northrop Grumman-built Defense Support Program satellites have been the space-based segment of the nation’s early warning system since 1970. Using infrared detectors that sense the heat from missile plumes, these orbiting sentries detect, characterize and report ballistic missile launches.
	The all-weather E-2 Hawkeye airborne early warning/command and control aircraft has served as the “eyes” of the U.S. Navy fleet for more than 30 years. The new E-2D Advanced Hawkeye will be the key airborne node of the U.S. Navy’s FORCEnet warfighting architecture, providing such additional capabilities as theater air missile defense.
	The Northrop Grumman-built James Webb Space Telescope will image galaxies at distances greater than ever before, enabling scientists to observe the formation of the first stars and galaxies in the universe billions of years ago.
	The Advanced Extremely High Frequency (Advanced EHF) spacecraft, the nation’s next military strategic and tactical relay system, will deliver assured, secure communications to U.S. forces worldwide. The Lockheed Martin-led team is under contract to provide three satellites and the mission control system. The company is teamed with Lockheed Martin to develop future Internet protocol-based military satellites incorporating laser-linked communications for the Transformational Satellite Communications System program.
	The E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS) is the most advanced targeting and battle management system in the world. From a standoff position, it detects, locates, classifies, tracks and targets hostile ground movements, communicating real-time information through secure data links with Air Force and Army commanders. Joint STARS is undergoing significant upgrades to provide commanders even greater capabilities.
	Northrop Grumman is developing a preliminary design of the experimental Oblique Flying Wing, the first-ever supersonic flying wing aircraft that can vary the sweep of its wing for the most efficient performance. The design will help determine the feasibility of using such aircraft for future military missions.
	Northrop Grumman, a principal teammate to Lockheed Martin Corporation, produces more than 25 percent of the F-35 Lightning II. The company integrates a major section of the aircraft's structure, produces key communications, radar system and avionics subsystems, and develops mission planning software.
	Operating in low-earth orbit, Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS) satellites will use onboard infrared sensors to detect, track and discriminate ballistic missiles throughout their trajectories. STSS will work with other assets to improve the performance of the overall missile defense system.
	Northrop Grumman is developing versions of its Fire Scout unmanned aerial vehicle for the U.S. Navy and the Army. This versatile vehicle can carry a variety of payloads in support of a wide range of missions including situational awareness, precision targeting and engagement and communications relay.
	Under contract to the Department of Homeland Security, Northrop Grumman will develop operational concepts and conduct component-level testing for Skyguard, a ground-based high-energy laser system designed to counter the threat posed to civil aviation by man-portable air defense systems.
	With teammates The Boeing Company and Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman is building the Missile Defense Agency’s Airborne Laser (ABL). Flying aboard a modified 747-400 freighter aircraft, the company’s megawatt-class laser will generate a beam traveling at the speed of light to stop a ballistic missile in its boost phase, while it is still climbing in the Earth’s atmosphere. Another company-built laser will help guide the main laser beam to its target. Photo courtesy of USAF.