Smart Sourcing for Unmanned Systems
Discover cutting-edge solutions from leading global suppliersNorthrop Grumman Corporation will highlight a range of its key capabilities and programmes at the Australian International Air Show, including unmanned aircraft systems; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR); radars and sensor systems; and infrared countermeasures.
Triton Unmanned Aircraft System
The air show takes place at Avalon Airport, Geelong, Australia, Feb. 26-March 3. Northrop Grumman’s exhibit in the U.S. pavilion is at 3C 12 in Hall C and the company’s business centre is located on the flight line at N11. In addition, a full-scale Triton unmanned aircraft system (UAS) model can be seen in the outside display area at EN-E3.
“Northrop Grumman is committed to providing affordable capabilities in C4ISR, unmanned systems, cybersecurity and logistics that will allow the Australian Defence Force to carry out vital operations in country and overseas,” said David Perry, corporate vice president and chief global business development officer, Northrop Grumman. “We have a well-established presence in Australia, and continue to build broad partnerships with industry and educational institutions to help us grow a strong defence and security enterprise. The Australian International Air Show provides us with an excellent opportunity to showcase the breadth of our capabilities and our industry leadership.”
Northrop Grumman’s airborne surveillance capability will be highlighted with models of the Triton UAS and Fire Scout unmanned helicopter display.
“Triton is an ideal high-altitude unmanned aircraft system for Australia. The system can fly missions for 24 hours at altitudes of more than 10 miles, allowing the system to cover vast areas of ocean and coastal regions. It is also an ideal national security asset, capable of performing a wide array of civilian roles, such as responding to natural disasters, bushfires, environmental monitoring and drug interdiction in addition to its considerable military capabilities,” said Perry.
Triton is a derivative of the combat-proven Global Hawk unmanned aircraft for maritime surveillance. Its unique suite of sensors allows the multimission ISR system to provide a continuous on-station presence for some of the most demanding surveillance missions. The system’s radar, known as the Multi-Function Active Sensor, allows the Triton to monitor a full 360-degree field of view – spotlighting a geographic area of interest for longer periods to increase the system’s capability to detect smaller targets.
Fire Scout is designed to accommodate a variety of sensor payloads to provide unprecedented situational awareness and precision targeting support. The system is deployed on U.S. Navy frigates and in Afghanistan providing ISR to maritime and ground commanders.
Northrop Grumman will also highlight its work as a principal member of the Lockheed Martin-led F-35 Lightning II industry team. The company performs a significant share of the work required to develop and produce the aircraft. In addition to producing the F-35 centre fuselage, Northrop Grumman also designed and produces the aircraft’s radar and other key avionics, including the electro-optical distributed aperture system (DAS) and communications subsystems.
The AN/AAQ-37 DAS is a high-resolution, omnidirectional infrared sensor system that provides advanced spherical situational awareness capability, including missile and aircraft detection, track and warning capabilities for the F-35. Imagery is provided to cockpit displays and to the F-35 pilot’s helmet-mounted display system for night navigation.
Northrop Grumman also develops mission systems and mission planning software for the aircraft; leads the team’s development of pilot and maintenance training system courseware; and manages the team’s use, support and maintenance of low-observable technologies.
Also on display will be the APR-39, which acts as a radar warning receiver and a controller for an aircraft’s electronic warfare survivability suite, capable of integrating with and displaying data from a wide variety of sensors. APR-39 provides rapid identification and continuous 360-degree threat warning.
Highlighted in the exhibit will be Northrop Grumman’s role in the EA-18G Growler airborne electronic attack aircraft, a derivative of the combat-proven, two-seat F/A-18 Hornet. Northrop Grumman is the principal subcontractor and is responsible for design and production of the shipset – the centre/aft fuselage section, twin vertical tails and all associated subsystems – for the single-seat F/A-18E, the two-seat F/A-18F Super Hornet, as well as for the EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft.
Other programmes available for viewing will be large aircraft infrared countermeasures (LAIRCM) for transport and refueling aircraft. The LAIRCM system is an active countermeasure that defeats the threat missile guidance system by directing a high-intensity modulated laser beam into the missile seeker. In addition, the LAIRCM system automatically counters advanced infrared missile systems with no action required by the crew. The pilot is simply informed that a threat missile was detected and jammed.
