PATUXENT RIVER NAS, Md. – Avionics experts at Northrop Grumman Corp. will help the U.S. Navy add communications security to the Link 16 military tactical data link aboard the Navy's fleet of carrier-based E-2D Advanced Hawkeye surveillance and maritime patrol aircraft.
Officials of the Naval Air Systems Command at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Md., announced a $17.9 million order Thursday to the Northrop Grumman Corp. Aeronautics Systems segment in Melbourne, Fla., to build and install Link 16 crypto-modernization and hybrid beyond line of sight capabilities on 15 E-2D aircraft.
Link 16 is a military tactical data link network that enables military aircraft, ships, and ground forces may exchange their tactical picture in near-real time. Link 16 also supports the exchange of text and imagery, and provides two channels of digital voice at 2.4 or 16 kilobits per second.
Northrop Grumman will build and install equipment to retrofit the Link 16 crypto modernization and hybrid beyond-line-of-sight capabilities for the E-2D.
The company also will provide acceptance testing and technical documentation of kits for the E-2D; deliver technical information to support the retrofit; install and verify the Link 16 crypto modernization and hybrid beyond-line-of-sight capabilities aboard the aircraft; and install AN/ALQ-217 electronic support measures Ethernet cable.
The Navy is awarding this order to Northrop Grumman sole-source because the company is the only one with the ability, resources, technology, and documentation necessary to do the job without unacceptable delays.
On this order Northrop Grumman will do the work Work will be performed in Melbourne, Fla.; Norfolk, Va.; Rolling Meadows, Ill.; San Diego; Ronkonkoma and Bethpage, N.Y.; and other locations, and should be finished by May 2023.
For more information contact Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems online at www.northropgrumman.com, or Naval Air Systems Command at www.navair.navy.mil.
