Northrop Grumman has been awarded a contract by the US Air Force (USAF) to support the Air and Space Operations Center (AOC) Weapon System (WS) modernisation programme.
The eight year contract, from the Electronic Systems Center at Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachusetts, US, has a potential value of $504m, if all options are exercised.
Northrop Grumman Information Systems president and corporate vice president Linda Mills said that the company will deliver evolvable, net-centric system that is affordable over the lifecycle.
"In addition, we will use our cybersecurity expertise to ensure secure operations across the full range of missions," Mills added.
Under the initial $120m contract, the company will modernise the AOC WS to provide enhanced battle space awareness and increased effective, dynamic planning and execution.
The company will design, integrate, test and deliver network-centric infrastructure and mission applications with fielding and sustainment at eight AOC sites.
Northrop Grumman Information Systems Defence Systems Division general manager and vice president Mike Twyman said the team will develop a composable solution built upon its Modular Open Systems Approach-Competitive model (MOSA-C) to offer mission-tailorable capabilities.
A strategic business and engineering process, MOSA-C model ensures to provide solutions that improve interoperability and reduce the total cost of ownership.
Northrop-led team for the programme includes AgilePath Corp, Capgemini Government Solutions, ZelTech Technologies, Layer 7 Technologies, Bosh Global Services, Applied Minds, and DMM Ventures.
AOC WS modernisation programme aims to improve speed of command by automating information exchange, speeding up the integration of warfighter capabilities and reduce lifecycle costs.
In the event of any contingency or during conflicts, the USAF’s AOC WS command and control centre plans, executes and assesses joint air operations.