Northrop Grumman is to bid for the US Missile Defense Agency’s (MDA) objective simulation framework (OSF) programme.

The MDA is expected to award the OSF contract, worth $850m, in May 2011.

The programme will enhance the MDA’s current modelling and simulation frameworks consisting of the digital simulation architecture and the single stimulation framework.

The exiting framework integrates models from each of the ballistic missile defence system (BMDS) programme elements into one system.

The BMDS is a complex system of sensors, interceptors and a command and control, battle management and communications network.

The OSF integration will enable a robust and layered defence to defend against hostile missiles in all phases of flight.