February theme: Aviation securityNorthrop Grumman, L-3 awarded EPX contract

Northrop Grumman and L-3 Communications have been awarded a study contract valued at $1.25 million by the U.S. Navy for the EPX aircraft program. EPX aims to create a shore-based, manned aircraft which will provide intelligence, surveillance, and targeting (ISRT) support to carrier strike groups and commanders at a national level. The contact is the first step in the navy’s selection process for the EPX system and involves the development of a preferred system concept and analysis of the associated risks and requirements. In November 2007 the navy initiated a competition to study the replacement of its EP-3E signals intelligence aircraft fleet. “This competition is about more than replacing an aircraft,” said Patricia McMahon, vice president of Information Operations and Electronic Attack for Northrop Grumman’s Integrated Systems sector. “It’s about transforming navy warfighters’ ability to perform the ISRT mission and share that information with joint and allied forces. EPX will develop the capability to execute an evolving set of missions, and no one understands those missions better than Northrop Grumman and L-3.” The results of the study will be delivered in five months.