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Northrop Grumman has delivered the first production-representative engagement operations centre (EOC) for the Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) Battle Command System (IBCS) to the US Army.
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Northrop Grumman's IBCS creates what the company calls a 'paradigm shift' to better address the evolving complex threat. The system integrates disparate radars and weapons to construct a far more effective IAMD enterprise.
IBCS delivers a single integrated air picture with unprecedented accuracy and broadens surveillance and protection areas. The system is characterised by its truly open systems architecture, allowing incorporation of current and future sensors and effectors and interoperability with joint C2 and the ballistic missile defence system.
Dan Verwiel, vice president and general manager, missile defence and protective systems, Northrop Grumman said, "This milestone is testament of the significant progress toward operational capability that will make pivotal differences to warfighters, commanders and acquisition officials."
The delivered IBCS EOC has completed all functional configuration audits for major configuration items and system verification review, and is representative of the production configuration for hardware and software that will undergo qualification testing before initial operational test and evaluation.
Northrop Grumman is on pace to deliver 11 EOCs and 18 integrated fire control network relays for the IBCS program by the end of the year.
"We will be delivering more EOCs as well as IBCS integrated fire control network relays in the near future. These articles will be used for initial operational test and evaluation, which informs future production decisions," Verwiel added.
The IBCS is a revolutionary command-and-control (C2) system developed to deliver a single, unambiguous view of the battlespace. IBCS is recognised as a paradigm shift for IAMD by replacing legacy stove-piped systems with a next-generation, net-centric approach to better address an evolving array of threats.
This significantly enhanced aircraft and missile tracking improves the ability of combatant commanders and air defenders to make critical decisions within seconds. With its truly open systems architecture, IBCS enables integration of current and future sensors and weapon systems and interoperability with joint C2 and the ballistic missile defence system.
The system is a key offering for Australia's AIR 6500 project which will upgrade or replace the ADF's existing air defence systems. This investment will provide the foundation for an enhanced IAMD system for the ADF, ensuring that the delivered system is able to fuse and share information to enhance the accuracy and speed of ADF's systems response to air and missile threats.
The delivered architecture will have the flexibility for further enhancement to handle more complex threats and to integrate new technologies as they emerge.
Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, space, strike, and logistics and modernisation to customers worldwide.
Stephen Kuper
Steve has an extensive career across government, defence industry and advocacy, having previously worked for cabinet ministers at both Federal and State levels.
