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The global defence prime is set to ramp-up production of its data-sharing technology for US military aircraft.
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The US Navy has awarded a $65 million contract to Northrop Grumman Corporation for the commencement of full rate production of its Link-16 offering.
The technology will be integrated into the US Marine Corps AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom helicopters.
The AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter is used to provide rotary wing close air support, anti-armour, anti-air, armed escort, armed/visual reconnaissance and fire support coordination capabilities.
The UH-1Y Venom multi-role utility helicopter also performs close air support missions, along with combat assault support, search and rescue/casualty evacuation, armed escort/reconnaissance, command and control, and special operation support.
The Link-16 capability is tipped to provide both variants with the ability to share data and communications securely with other aircraft and users of military networks.
“As lead technology integrator for H-1 Avionics, we are expanding our long-standing partnership with the Marine Corps to modernise electronic systems across the fleet through an open systems architecture approach,” Lindsay McEwen, vice president, navigation, targeting and survivability, Northrop Grumman, said.
“Link-16 full rate production is the starting point.”
Northrop Grumman’s mission systems solution for the H-1 fleet has reported more than 450,000 total flight hours.
The processes, capabilities and open architecture developed for the H-1 fleet can be applicable to other platforms and could be leveraged in future aircraft development programs, including the NAVAIR Vertical Take Off and Landing Family of Systems (VTOL FoS) and ship-based drone MUX.
The latest deal follows the company's receipt of the Integrated Modification and Maintenance contract for the US Navy’s E-6B Mercury platform — a derivative of the commercial Boeing 707 aircraft.
The company has been tasked with performing modifications to E-6B aircraft designed to improve command, control and communications functions, which connect the national command authority with the United States’ Nuclear Triad.
As part of the five-year, US$111 million ($151.3 million) contract, Northrop Grumman is expected to establish a consolidated production line for core modifications.
The work is set to be performed from Northrop Grumman’s Aircraft Maintenance and Fabrication Center in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
[Related: Northrop Grumman secures E-6B Mercury modernisation contract]
