Northrop Grumman industry team to pursue Air Force Joint STARS recap program

Northrop Grumman Corporation, through its Aerospace Systems sector, has formed an industry team with General Dynamics and its subsidiary, Gulfstream, and L-3 to pursue the U.S. Air Force’s Joint STARS recap program, the Falls Church, VA-based company announced June 12.

This complementary team leverages Northrop Grumman’s role as the prime industry contractor for the Joint STARS E-8C wide area ground surveillance, and battle management command and control mission for the U.S. Air Force for more than 30 years, Gulfstream’s award-winning business aircraft, and L-3’s expertise in aircraft modification and world-class communications solutions.

“We have unmatched, proven expertise to advance the U.S. Air Force’s battle management command and control, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance mission,” said Tom Vice, corporate vice president and president, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems. “We meet, or exceed, the Air Force’s acquisition requirements by integrating our team’s independently developed, mature and proven systems at the lowest cost, with the lowest risk to provide an innovative acquisition solution.”

“Gulfstream offers the best possible combination of performance, cost-effectiveness and availability,” said Larry Flynn, president, Gulfstream. “This team’s Joint STARS recap proposal marries the extensive and varied experience of this team with the advanced and proven technology of Gulfstream business aircraft, resulting in a mature, non-developmental, ramp-ready solution for the Air Force.”

The Gulfstream aircraft will provide the Air Force with key mission system requirements – speed, range, altitude, endurance and reliability – well positioning the team to deliver a highly capable, cost-effective and innovative battle management command and control/intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance solution to the Air Force, integrated on an efficient, business jet platform.

“L-3 is excited to join a world class team to recapitalize a critical program for the U.S. Air Force,” said Mark Von Schwarz, senior vice president and president of L-3 Aerospace Systems. “Our intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft integration capability and performance are industry-leading, as demonstrated by the delivery of 56 aircraft 100% on-time or early and within budget, over the past 30 months. We are joining an equally impressive Northrop Grumman industry team to ensure affordable, next-generation performance not only today but into the future.”

Using open architecture and commercial-off-the-shelf technologies, the growth potential of the Next Generation Joint STARS platform will ensure it remains relevant to meet evolving threats the warfighter may encounter for decades to come.

Source: Northrop Grumman Corp.