Non-Subscriber Extract
Global Hawk scoops BAMS prize
By Martin Streetly
29 April 2008
The US Navy (USN) has awarded Northrop Grumman Integrated Systems a USD1.16 billion system design and development (SDD) contract for its Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) unmanned aerial system (UAS) following a protracted decision-making process.
BAMS will provide persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) data collection and dissemination for the fleet, in support of the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Force (MPRF).
Under the terms of the 89-month deal, a Northrop Grumman-led team will design, fabricate and deliver two BAMS Air Vehicles (AVs) with associated mission payloads and a communications suite. A forward operating base mission control system, integration laboratory and a main operating base mission control system will also be supplied.
Integrated Systems is acting as prime contractor and AV supplier, heading up a development team that includes Northrop Grumman's business unit at Norwalk, Connecticut, which is responsible for radar.
Aurora Flight Sciences is providing the AV's tail assembly and other composite structures. L-3 Communications is responsible for communications integration and Raytheon will support the mission control system segment and provide the AV's electro-optic/infrared (EO/IR) sensor. Of the other members of the development team, Rolls-Royce will provide the aircraft engine, Sierra Nevada Corporation the AV's electronic support (ES) system and Vought Aircraft Industries the AV's wings.
Image: A computer-generated illustration of the RQ-4N BAMS AV showing the type's nose-mounted EO/IR sensor turret and belly-mounted radar AESA (Northrop Grumman)