“While the aircraft was flying, the software was queued up so that we could have different companies’ behaviors take control of the platform and fly [it]," said Dan Salluce, Northrop’s senior director for aerospace systems.
The new funding is set to go directly toward the acquisition of new F-35 fifth generation fighter jet integrated Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile – Extended Range (AARGM-ER) munitions, and stiffen the pace of big ticket submarine and frigate procurements.
The Sixth Domain is not defined by geography. It’s a new kind of conflict in which autonomy and networked systems allow thousand-dollar consumer electronics to destroy multi-million-dollar conventional weapons systems.
Among the near-term launches most likely to be delayed or shifted are those of the Space Force WGS-11 communications satellite slated to lift off by the end of March, and the Next-Gen OPIR GEO satellite
The Air Force told Breaking Defense the service may consider producing another missile similar to Northrop Grumman’s Stand-in Attack Weapon “if industry has solid options for delivering munitions faster and cheaper.”
The shift follows Vulcan's February grounding under the National Security Space Launch program to resolve persistent problems with its solid rocket boosters.
Rep. Rob Wittman told Breaking Defense that while he expected issues with the new APG-85 radar to eventually be resolved, in the interim the US military will be left with “lots of aircraft out there, but not ones that are ready to go to the fight.”
Do more with less: streamline workflows, reduce duplication, invest upfront to save long-term.
The new awards procure an undisclosed number of developmental aircraft and address diminishing manufacturing sources for the plane’s radar.
It's unclear whether President Donald Trump's meeting with defense executives at the White House pushes munitions production beyond previously-announced agreements.
Northrop Grumman was previously selected to build a new anti-radiation Stand in Attack Weapon, but a market survey released by the Air Force March 4 is probing for other vendors that could supply an “equivalent missile system.”
Anduril’s YFQ-44A drone wingman under development for the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program has begun testing flights with a missile underwing, according to an Air Force press release.
As threats rapidly evolve, digital engineering, manufacturing capacity and robust supply chains are critical to meeting challenges.
R&D, engineering and manufacturing processes must all adapt to keep pace with the dynamic of technology.
Under a memorandum of understanding, Northrop will explore options to develop an autonomous boom refueling system for Embraer’s KC-390, hoping to attract US and international customers.
“There's just a lot of strategic synergy in those parts of our portfolio that we want to maintain ownership structure of,” said Northrop CEO Kathy Warden.
“We certainly have not lowered the bar, and we certainly have not taken on any risk by doing this,” Air Force Gen. Dale White told Breaking Defense.