Missile defence capabilities at MSPO 2018

It will include a demonstration of integrated air and missile defence (IAMD) and short-range air defence (SHORAD) capabilities.

Tarik Reyes, Vice President, Missile Defence and Protective Systems, Northrop Grumman, stated: “Northrop Grumman is committed to Poland and to helping create innovative solutions to meet Poland’s national security needs. Through the acquisition of IBCS, Poland will have the most sophisticated and technologically advanced integrated air and missile defence system that will enable the use of multiple sensors and effectors on a network.

“Poland’s WISLA integrated air and missile defence system will be capable of employing short range air and missile defence systems being considered for NAREW and will provide any sensor, best shooter engagements. We are excited to offer our range of core capabilities and continue building our presence in Poland to deepen our relationships with our key customers so that we can provide effective support for in-country business development activities.”

The IAMD Battle Command System (IBCS) is a command-and-control system developed to deliver a single, unambiguous view of the battlespace, as recently demonstrated over vast distances via the multi-node distributed test. This significantly enhances aircraft and missile tracking and improves the ability of combatant commanders and air defenders to make critical decisions within seconds. With a modular open systems architecture, IBCS allows integration of current and future sensors and weapon systems. IBCS aims to enable ‘any sensor, best shooter’ operations to optimise limited resources and facilitate flexible defence designs.

Northrop Grumman’s SHORAD capabilities hope to protect U.S. and allied forces from a wide range of manned and unmanned air and missile threats. Its capabilities utilise sensors, weapons and command control to acquire, track, verify, engage and defeat incoming threats.

Northrop Grumman will also showcase its precision artillery, advanced tank ammunition and tactical missile capabilities that are well-suited to meet Poland’s modernisation needs.

The Northrop Grumman Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AGM-88E) is a supersonic, medium-range, air launched tactical missile that provides the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and Italian Air Force with the latest and most advanced weapon system for engaging and destroying enemy air defences and time-critical, mobile targets. AGM-88E is compatible with Poland’s airframes and can provide advanced strike capability.

The company is also displaying its Bushmaster Chain Guns and medium calibre ammunition. The Mk44 chain gun is well established in the Polish Army and is integrated on the Rozomak ground combat vehicle, representing the largest installed base of the 30x173mm chain guns worldwide. Additionally, Northrop Grumman’s Precision Guidance Kit for 155mm artillery and Kinetic Energy Tungsten 120mm tank ammunition are compatible with Poland’s artillery projectiles and main battle tanks, and would provide advanced capabilities for those systems.

Information will be available on the AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar, the ground-based multi-mission active electronically scanned array radar developed and now in production for the U.S. Marine Corps. The Marine Corps achieved AN/TPS-80 Initial Operational Capability in early 2018. AN/TPS-80 incorporates the latest high efficiency Gallium Nitride antenna technology and provides comprehensive 360°, multi-threat detection and tracking. The AN/TPS-80 architecture is designed to support integration with IBCS.

Northrop Grumman’s German subsidiary, Northrop Grumman LITEF, will highlight its range of Fibre Optic Gyros and Micro-electro-mechanical Systems Accelerometers as well as innovative Inertial Navigation and Reference Systems for air, land and maritime applications.