Northrop Grumman has been awarded an 18-month direct contract by the US Air Force (USAF) to produce millicomputer replacement (MCR) 1553 processors.

The MCR-1553 is equipped with an onboard memory for recording in-flight data and to provide Ethernet communications for advanced interface with other systems on the host aircraft.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Go deeper with GlobalData

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more

The new processor will replace the aging core memory in the USAF ALQ-131 electronic countermeasures pod used on both the F-16 Fighting Falcon and the A-10 Thunderbolt fighter jets.

Northrop Technical Services MCR-1553 programme manager Les Walraven said the processor will provide enhanced processing and communication capability to meet the current and future threat requirements for the ALQ-131.

Airforce Technology Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Airforce Technology Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact.


Excellence in Action
Discover how Virtualitics is transforming mission readiness with explainable AI, predictive maintenance, and data-driven decision intelligence across the U.S. Department of Defense through its AI-powered Integrated Readiness Optimization suite, for which it has won the Innovation and Business Expansion awards.

Discover the Impact