During Bold Alligator 2012, the BAC1-11 is being configured with the F-35's AN/APG-81 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar and the AN/AAQ-37 infrared distributed aperture system (DAS). Systems will operate with future software blocks undergoing test as well as those delivered in current F-35 jets.

Bold Alligator is a large-scale, multinational Navy-Marine Corps amphibious exercise conducted by U.S. Fleet Forces and Marine Forces Command. It will be the Atlantic Fleet's largest amphibious exercise in 10 years.

The 2012 exercise is centralizing planning and execution of a brigade-sized amphibious assault from a seabase in a medium threat environment. Following a decade of ground war, this event is intended to revitalize, refine and strengthen core amphibious competencies of the Navy and Marine Corps.

"With JSF being delivered to training commands in 2012, the Navy-Marine Corps team is poised to start using our radar and DAS in an operational context, much like U.S. Pacific Command did during Northern Edge 2011. Northrop Grumman's commitment to deliver new capabilities to the war fighter remains a priority. This exercise is another opportunity to demonstrate operational utility to the fleet," said Jeff Leavitt, Northrop Grumman's vice president of Combat Avionics Systems.

"F-35 sensor capabilities are unprecedented. Their performance continues to meet or exceed expectations."

Building upon successful F-35 sensor deployments during Exercise Northern Edge in 2009 and 2011 in Alaska, Northrop Grumman's BAC1-11 test aircraft is flying air-to-air and air-to-ground reconnaissance missions during Bold Alligator's large naval and ground force maneuvers on the Atlantic coast. Participating naval forces include an aircraft carrier strike group, amphibious ready group, NATO alliance ships from eight partner nations, and Marine landing forces.

The F-35 AN/APG-81 AESA radar and AN/AAQ-37 DAS have demonstrated exceptional maturity well in advance of formal operational testing timelines. Participation in Bold Alligator is integrating these advanced capabilities in the maritime domain.

The AN/APG-81 AESA radar is a multifunction aperture capable of the full range of air-to-air and air-to-surface functions complemented by significant electronic warfare and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.

The AN/AAQ-37 DAS provides passive spherical awareness for the F-35, simultaneously detecting and tracking aircraft and missiles in every direction, and providing visual imagery for day/night navigation and targeting purposes. The F-35 JSF's role as an invaluable future component of the Navy, Marine Corps and international defense team is being demonstrated in all phases of amphibious operations as exercised in Bold Alligator.

"ALMDS will enable the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force to cover significant distances at the speed of flight using its MCH-101 aircraft. This technology dramatically compresses the time between mine detection and neutralization," said Donna Carson-Jelley, ALMDS program manager for the U.S. Navy. "ALMDS keeps mine countermeasures ahead of the threats."

The mine detection system is laser-based and utilizes streak tube imaging light detection and ranging (LIDAR) to detect, classify and localize near-surface moored sea mines. With high area coverage rate capability, the system transmits a fan-shaped beam of laser light to establish its swath width, and then relies on the forward motion of the helicopter to sweep the light over the water in a "push broom" manner.

Four cameras are arranged to cover the same swath illuminated by the laser fan beam. As images are received by the system, an automatic target recognition algorithm picks out potential mine-like objects and stores their images for classification by shipboard Fleet operators, using computer-aided post-mission analysis tools.

"The addition of ALMDS to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force mine countermeasures suite of solutions provides them with significantly enhanced mine detection capability—first developed for the United States Navy," said Pat McMahon, sector vice president and general manager, Military Aircraft Systems of Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems. "The installation of this capability will also improve the exchange of information between the U.S. Navy and JMSDF during allied operations."

Northrop Grumman is working closely with its industry partners Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd., and Fujitsu Limited on the delivery and installation of ALMDS.

"The addition of our mine countermeasures systems broadens the strong relationship we have with the Japan Ministry of Defense and we are very proud of that partnership. It goes back to the early 1960s," said McMahon. The Japan Air Self-Defense Force has flown the Northrop Grumman-built E-2C Hawkeye airborne early warning command and control system since 1982.

Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide.

The contract was awarded by the Naval Air Systems Command, based in Patuxent River, Md. Northrop Grumman will define system requirements for the integration of the LN-251 system in Sikorsky Aircraft's CH-53K helicopter, which is in the initial test phase and will be the world's premier heavy-lift helicopter for the U.S. Marine Corps.

"The LN-251 is ideally suited to meet the precise navigation needs of the robust CH-53K helicopter because it is lightweight, highly compact and reliable," said Gorik Hossepian, vice president of navigation and positioning systems for Northrop Grumman's Navigation Systems Division.

"Northrop Grumman is looking forward to supporting the smooth integration of our system and ensuring that its addition provides enhanced capabilities for the helicopter."

The LN-251 system is the world's smallest, lightest navigation-grade embedded GPS/INS unit in its class.

Its high-performance, fiber-optic gyro-based inertial measurement unit provides a compact, low-noise solution for optimal sensor stabilization and navigation applications.

The LN-251 system's modular, open architecture supports additional applications and evolving requirements.

If selected for the MNVR program, Northrop Grumman will lead the team and provide its Freedom 350 multifunction radio system. Exelis will support radio development, manufacturing, vehicle installation and integration, and logistical support services.

"The innovation and expertise of both companies set this team apart as a formidable force in the MNVR competition," said Claude Hashem, vice president of the Network Communication Systems business at Northrop Grumman's Information Systems sector.

"Northrop Grumman pioneered software-defined radio technology, has expertise in more than 50 waveforms and functions used on advanced networks and applications, and is a recognized leader in the design of open architecture systems and network management solutions.

"Exelis brings unparalleled radio technology experience and proven design, manufacturing and integration expertise having developed the Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System with more than 550,000 fielded and the JTRS Soldier Radio Waveform," Hashem said.

"This team brings together the synergy of two powerhouses in the communications market with extensive experience in high performance networking radio design, waveform integration, vehicular system integration and affordability through world-class manufacturing," said Ken Peterman, president of Exelis' Communications and Forces Protection Systems business.

The Northrop Grumman-Exelis radio system will provide mobile Internet-like voice, data and video capabilities, connecting warfighters in on-the-move tactical platforms with each other and back to command centers.

It is interoperable with other radios and uses multiple waveforms, including the Soldier Radio Waveform and Wideband Networking Waveform.

Northrop Grumman developed the two-channel, full-duplex Freedom 350 radio based on more than 20 years of experience designing integrated communications, navigation and identification radio systems for aircraft.

The radio uses a low-cost open architecture designed to have minimal impact in terms of size, weight and power on aircraft and vehicles.

"After three years of design, production and testing, we are so pleased to have this important capability ready for full integration into the fleet," said Bryan Lima, Northrop Grumman program director for Joint STARS development and modernization. "Our success is directly attributed to our outstanding relationship with our government customer and industry partners in providing the warfighter with this important capability."

The new engines flown on T-3 are an upgrade to the existing commercial engines in that they feature a newly designed pneumatic system. The system, designed by Northrop Grumman, uses a single stage precooling design that vastly improves reliability and the hardware's life cycle.

The new precooler allows hot, compressed air from the engines turbines to be processed at a substantially cooler temperature and more consistent pressure level than its predecessor. This improves the efficiency of the Air Cycle Machines which cools the aircraft's environmental control system, cabin, and Prime Mission Equipment, as well as pressurizes the utility hydraulic subsystem, engine starting capability and liquid cooling system.

The new engine on T-3 allows for an increased mission capable rate and lowered ownership costs. The re-engining of the fleet has the potential to provide the Joint STARS system with significant operational and maintenance improvements.

In addition to enhancing operational performance, the new engines pay for themselves within eight years through reduced maintenance cost and better fuel efficiency.

Today, the Joint STARS fleet is the only all-weather, long-range, real-time, wide area surveillance and battle management and command and control weapons system in the world. It is flown by the 116th and 461st Air Control Wings based on Warner Robins, Ga.

To date, Joint STARS has accumulated over 70,000 combat hours supporting operations, including ongoing support to Operation New Dawn over Iraq, Operation Enduring Freedom over Afghanistan and Operation Odyssey Dawn over Libya.

Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide.

The demonstration, which took place Oct. 25 near Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Md., paves the way for improving the speed at which field commanders can make informed decisions during military operations.

"Fire Scout complements the Navy's manned helicopters by effectively extending the range and area of ship-based intelligence gathering operations," said George Vardoulakis, vice president for tactical unmanned systems for Northrop Grumman's Aerospace Systems sector.

Until now, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance data gathered by Fire Scout has been sent to its host ship for further dissemination.

During the demonstration, crew members aboard a nearby U.S. Coast Guard boat also viewed Fire Scout's sensor data in real time using a remote terminal.

The capability also improves Fire Scout's communications relay function by allowing multiple units to share real-time information to coordinate actions without delay.

Fire Scout features a modular architecture that accommodates a variety of electro-optical, infrared and communications payloads. These payloads provide ground- and ship-based commanders with high levels of situational awareness and precision targeting support.

The system's ability to operate from all air-capable ships makes it particularly well suited for supporting littoral missions such as drug interdiction, search and rescue, antipiracy operations, reconnaissance and port security.

In three separate contract awards, Northrop Grumman was selected to provide a CEESIM, an SMS and a Pulseman Portable CEESIM Simulator to Aselsan's Radar, Electronic Warfare and Intelligence Systems Division to support various electronic warfare (EW)-related programs within Turkey.

Aselsan provides EW equipment for use on ground-based, naval, fixed and rotary-wing platforms.

"Together, CEESIM and SMS offer a complete end-to-end electronic warfare testing solution by providing Aselsan the ability to generate a highly realistic simulated environment while measuring how well the EW equipment operates within that environment," said Joe Downie, president of Northrop Grumman's Amherst Systems business unit.

"The Northrop Grumman CEESIM system is the most advanced radio frequency (RF) simulator on the market today," noted Downie.

CEESIM generates complex dynamic electromagnetic environments that allow users to test and evaluate the performance of advanced electronic warfare systems including radar warning receivers, electronic countermeasure systems and signal intelligence systems.

CEESIM is fully reprogrammable and is able to simulate EW/radar signals and communication signals.

The Signal Measurement System provides real-time RF measurement and analysis of threat emitters and corresponding system-under-test jammer responses for hardware-in-the-loop, installed system, and open-air training range applications.

The CEESIM and SMS systems were delivered in early spring 2011, followed by the delivery of the portable version of CEESIM in September, bringing to seven the total installed base of RF simulators in Turkey.

The AH-1Z and its sister aircraft, the UH-1Y, are deployed aboard the USS Makin Island with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). The helicopters function as a detachment of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367 (HMLA-367), which provided four AH-1Z and three UH-1Y helicopters. While this is the first AH-1Z deployment, the UH-1Y was first deployed in 2009 with the 13th MEU and has experienced four HMLA squadron deployments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

The U.S. Marine Corps is now able to merge the improved capabilities of these upgraded aircraft into a single light helicopter attack squadron or as a detachment of the larger group. The dual deployment takes advantage of the 84 percent commonality of parts between the UH-1Y and AH-1Z helicopters in the H-1 upgrade program, which reduces life cycle and training costs and decreases the logistics footprint for both aircraft. The upgraded helicopters also have 100 percent software commonality through Northrop Grumman's Integrated Avionics System (IAS) and the same operational flight program.

"The Integrated Avionics System is dramatically improving the situational awareness abilities of these H-1 aircraft in challenging environments," said Ike Song, vice president of situational awareness systems at Northrop Grumman's Navigation Systems Division. "These operational advantages will be even more apparent now, as the AH-1Z and UH-1Y work together as a team in their first joint deployment."

The IAS powers the helicopters' glass cockpits. It features two mission computers with an open, modular architecture that allows for easy system upgrades and rapid insertion of new technologies. The IAS also improves the air crew's situational awareness and weapons accuracy by providing critical mission data on four displays.

The H-1 upgrade program is leading the U.S. Marine Corps into the digital interoperability age. The program involves replacing aging AH-1W and UH-1N fleets with newer AH-1Z and UH-1Y helicopters that provide significant improvements in commonality, reliability and maintainability. Both the AH-1Z and UH-1Y are in full-rate production by Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.

Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide.

In one of the test scenarios, Northrop Grumman simulated a typical convoy mission leaving a Forward Operating Base. By using the company's Smart Integrated Vehicle Area Network (SiVAN) and vehicle-mounted sensors, crews in multiple vehicles maintained situational awareness with each other and the Tactical Operations Center (TOC) under all weather conditions. Connected to a wireless mesh network, the systems shared target information with other networked sensors and with the TOC. Operators were able to view imagery from several sensors.

"Military convoys are vital for resupply and force mobility in theater, but they face a number of significant threats. Improving their safety was one of the goals of our testing at Camp Roberts," said Kay Burch, vice president of communications, intelligence & networking solutions for Northrop Grumman's Land and Self Protection Systems Division. "The digital interoperability we demonstrated here will improve warfighters' situational awareness by giving them greater access to the information they need, when they need it."

SiVAN is a highly survivable, self-healing vehicle network that uses a simple plug-and-play interface to connect disparate technologies. With SiVAN, warfighters can easily add devices as needed and distribute the data throughout the network. SiVAN provides a self-forming information link between devices, local area dismounts, unmanned aerial vehicles and any other platform, allowing them all to interoperate seamlessly. The network's open architecture foundation is optimized for the rapid integration of future technologies.

Other systems integrated and tested during the exercise included fire control systems, targeting systems, radars, unattended ground sensors, acoustic sensors and survivability equipment. Northrop Grumman's Rotorcraft Avionics Innovation Laboratory performed the rapid integrations.

Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide.

Under the initial contract, Northrop Grumman's Undersea Systems business unit will deliver the airborne mine-hunting system to Kawasaki Heavy Industries for integration into Japan's new Airborne Mine Countermeasures MCH-101 helicopter.

"The combination of our proven high performance, low cost and ease of integration in the MCH-101 airframe makes the AQS-24A the ideal choice for Japan's helicopter-based mine-hunting needs," said Tom Jones, vice president of Northrop Grumman's Undersea Systems business unit. "As the only operational airborne mine-hunting search system in the U.S. Navy, the AQS-24A has demonstrated very high reliability in the field with the Navy's Helicopter Mine Countermeasures squadrons."

The AQS-24A and its predecessors, the AQS-24 and the AQS-14, have been the only operational airborne mine hunting search systems used by the U.S. Navy for the past 27 years. The AQS-24A is a high speed mine-hunting system that is primarily towed from the MH-53E helicopter, but has been easily adapted to the smaller Japanese MCH-101 aircraft. With a track record of proven reliability and performance across the globe, the system's high-resolution side-scan sonar detects, localizes and classifies both bottom and moored mines in real time at high area coverage rates.

The AQS-24A contains a laser line scanner that provides precision optical identification of underwater mines and other objects of interest. The AQS-24A allows for simultaneous operation of the sonar and laser, which significantly improves area coverage rate, shortens the mine clearance timeline and alleviates unnecessary maintenance cycles. Advanced navigation controls and processing provide highly accurate target positioning.

Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide.