Northrop delivers 1,000th GLTA assembly to US Navy

ROLLING MEADOWS (BNS): Northrop Grumman has delivered the 1,000th Guardian Laser Transmitter Assembly (GLTA) to the US government which is a part of the Department of Navy's Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (DoN LAIRCM) system. 

DoN LAIRCM is currently installed on US Marine Corps CH-53E helicopters operating in Afghanistan and on ship-based CH-46E helicopters.

The company has also produced over 930 small laser transmitter assemblies for a total of nearly 2,000 production laser-based IRCM transmitters.

The system functions by automatically detecting a missile launch, determining if it is a threat and activating a high-intensity laser-based countermeasure system to track and defeat the missile.

US Navy, Northrop test new laser weapon system

NAVAL BASE VENTURA COUNTY (BNS): The US Navy and Northrop Grumman have successfully tested a new laser weapon system which has validated its prowess to intercept and destroy small boats at sea.

The new weapon, called the Maritime Laser Demonstrator (MLD) designed and built by Northrop, was fired from a surface ship and destroyed a small target vessel during its latest test on April 6.

Open ocean tests for the system were conducted between October 2010 and April 2011 at the Pacific Ocean Test Range near San Nicolas Island off the Central California coast. For these tests, the laser system was installed on the Navy’s Self Defence Test Ship, the USS Paul Foster.

Northrop, US Navy complete second, third flights of X-47B

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE (BNS): Less than a month after completing the first flight of the US Navy's X-47B UCAS-Demonstration aircraft, flight test engineers from Northrop Grumman and the Navy have successfully completed the aircraft's second and third flights.

The flights, both conducted at Edwards Air Force Base, mark the beginning of a process called envelope expansion during which the test team will begin proving that the tailless aircraft can perform safely over a broad range of altitudes, air speeds and operating weights.

US Navy backs Northrop spin-off of ship unit

The US Navy threw its support behind Northrop Grumman Corp's plans to spin off its shipbuilding unit after the company agreed to make certain financial adjustments to cover possible risks.

The Navy announcement came late on Tuesday after Northrop's board approved the creation of Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc, in a spin-off to shareholders.

The Navy's support paves the way for the new company to wrap up contracts for two new U.S. warships, and moves Northrop one step closer to finalizing the spin-off, which must still be approved by the US Securities and Exchange Commission, Reuters reports.

The defense contractor said the spin-off has been structured to qualify as a tax-free distribution for US federal tax purposes.

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Upgrading Royal Navy Minehunting Ships

Northrop Grumman has received a contract from BAE Systems to upgrade the machinery control, alarm and surveillance (MCAS) systems on eight U.K. Royal Navy mine counter measure vessels.

Under the contract, Northrop Grumman's Sperry Marine business unit will supply new-generation systems to replace the ships' existing MCAS. The systems will monitor more than 500 sensor points on the ships' main propulsion engines and drive systems, generators and auxiliary machinery. The scope of work will also include extended warranty and spares. Installation, testing and commissioning will be contracted following completion and validation of the design with installations scheduled to take place on the eight vessels between 2011 and 2015.