Northrop Grumman Receives $59M US Air Force Contract for Next-Generation Navigation System

Modular, open architecture systems enters engineering and manufacturing development phase – will help provide important data in GPS-denied environments

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. – Feb. 11, 2019 – The U.S. Air Force has awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) a $59 million contract for the engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) phase of the Embedded Global Positioning System (GPS) /Inertial Navigation System (INS)-Modernization, or EGI-M, technology.

The E-2D is one of the lead platforms selected for EGI-M integration. U.S. Navy photo

The approval to proceed to the EMD phase follows the Department of Defense’s Milestone B approval in October 2018. During the EMD phase, Northrop Grumman will develop the critical hardware and software design for the EGI-M, build hardware for integration and qualification, generate safety and civil certification documentation, qualify the new EGI-M systems to rigorous military standards, and build production units for platform testing.

Based upon modular and truly open systems architecture, the EGI-M system will support the rapid insertion of new capabilities and adaptability based on unique platform requirements. Additionally, the modernized navigation system will incorporate new generation GPS receivers, which will be capable to securely and accurately transmit the new military signals for space (M-Code). The EGI-M will be integrated into multiple platforms across all of the services and exportable versions will be developed for international customers. The lead platforms for EGI-M are F-22 and E-2D.

“This EMD award brings us an important step closer to fielding a modernized navigation system that provides accurate positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) information, even when GPS is denied,” said Dean Ebert, vice president, navigation and positioning systems, Northrop Grumman. “Northrop Grumman is dedicated to ensuring the safety and mission success of our warfighters by providing a resilient assured PNT solution that will allow service members to fly, fight and win in any environment.”

EGI-M technology is designed for compatibility with current systems on legacy aircraft, allowing ease of integration and rapid adoption of new capabilities. EGI-M will also comply with the Federal Aviation Administration’s NextGen air traffic control requirements that aircraft flying at higher altitudes be equipped with Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS‑B) Out by January 2020. ADS-B Out transmits information about an aircraft’s altitude, speed and location to ground stations and to other equipped aircraft in the vicinity.

Eleven Years Ago the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Made its First Flight from St. Augustine, Florida

The August 3, 2017 marked the 10-year anniversary of the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye’s first flight. The aircraft known as Delta One, took off from the St. Augustine, Florida, airfield piloted by Northrop Grumman Flight Test Pilot Tom Boutin and then-U.S. Navy Flight Test Pilot Lt. Drew Ballinger along with Northrop Grumman Flight Test Lead Weapon Systems Operator Zyad Hajo. Wheels-up was shortly before 11 a.m., and the flight lasted an hour and twenty minutes.

Photo captured from the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye's first flight, eleven years ago, on Aug. 3, 2007.

This was a major milestone in a program that launched with the U.S. Navy’s award of the E-2D System Development and Demonstration (SDD) contract on Aug. 4, 2003. In addition to delivering a significantly more capable aircraft, the SDD program goals focused on reducing total ownership costs including the use of advanced manufacturing methods, two-level maintenance concepts, and automated systems test capabilities.

In the ten years since the E-2D’s first flight, 30 aircraft have been delivered and two Japanese E-2Ds are approaching their final production phases. A mature aerial refueling test program with production cut-in is planned for 2018 and initial operating capability is planned for 2020. Advanced development work is continually being done to ensure the E-2D remains the most capable airborne early warning , battle management, command, and control aircraft in the world.

The program is seen as a model for success and has produced an aircraft that provides customers the added edge needed to stay ahead of adversaries. Today, the Navy has E-2Ds deployed around the world as men and women continue to fly and maintain the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye.

E-2D Aerial Refueling Test Flight Results in a Topped-off Tank

NAVAIR public release, SPR-2017-589Distribution Statement A, approved for public release, distribution is unlimited.

Photo credit: U.S. Navy by Liz Wolter

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, Md. – Oct. 31, 2017 – Another major milestone was reached on the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye program this summer, when the first E-2D equipped with aerial refueling successfully received its first in-flight fuel transfer from a tanker aircraft on July 14.

During the four-hour flight, the pilots performed 10 dry plugs and two wet plugs, resulting in the successful transfer of more than 1,700 pounds of fuel from a U.S. Navy KC-130 Hercules to the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye.

”Passing fuel for the first time airborne is a significant milestone in the development of this critical technology for the E-2D, which increases the range and persistence of command and control the E-2D provides to U.S. and allied forces,” said Capt. Keith Hash, E-2/C-2 Airborne Tactical Data Systems (PMA-231) program manager.

The aerial refueling-equipped E-2D made its first flight Dec. 15, 2016, at Northrop Grumman’s St. Augustine facility. The aircraft was then transferred to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 20 (VX-20) at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, where the aircraft will complete the aerial refueling test program. 

“Developing aerial refueling capability for the E-2D is another demonstration of Northrop Grumman’s unwavering commitment to provide our Navy customer with increased operational capability,” said Jane Bishop, vice president and program manager of the E-2/C-2 program at Northrop Grumman.

There are two additional aircraft in the aerial refueling test program and while the first aircraft was making its first fuel transfer flight, the third aircraft to be modified made its first flight at St. Augustine. Two E-2Ds equipped with aerial refueling in flight at the same time marks a significant first for Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Navy’s Hawkeye community. 

The aerial refueling system modification contains several sub-system upgrades to accommodate the refueling capability including adding the fuel probe plumbing, formation lighting, long-endurance seats, as well as flight control software and hardware changes.

The U.S. Navy awarded Northrop Grumman the aerial refueling contract in 2013. This capability gives the U.S. Navy the flexibility to conduct missions of more than seven hours. The planned production cut-in will be in 2018, and IOC is planned for 2020. The E-2D aircraft already in the fleet will eventually be retrofitted with the aerial refueling system.