Northrop lands $256M Marine radar deal

Northrop Grumman Corp. will develop a radar system that consolidates the missions of five Marine Corps radars into a single multi-role system under a contract the company was awarded by the Corp.

The $256.6 million contract includes system development, fabrication and test of the system, low rate initial production of two Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar systems, and full-rate production of an additional 15 systems. The company also will provide logistical support.

In total, the Marine Corps plans to have 63 G/ATOR systems produced.

G/ATOR is a mobile system intended to support the Marine Corps' warfare requirements. The radar system will provide the Marines with enhanced capabilities to detect, track, and provide target data to engage everything from mortars and artillery to cruise missiles and hostile aircraft.

The radar also will provide air traffic control capabilities to enhance the safety of Marine Corps air operations and enable enhanced capabilities using Northrop Grumman's proven Active Electronically Scanned Array radar technology.

Northrop Grumman's Baltimore-based Electronic Systems sector will serve as the prime contractor for the radar program. Members of the contracting team include Sensis Corp., Syracuse, N.Y.; CEA Technologies Inc., Canberra, Australia; Techrizon, Lawton, Okla.; and Caterpillar Logistics, Morton, Ill.

Northrop Grumman of Los Angeles has 120,000 employees and had annual sales of $30 billion in 2006. The company ranks No. 2 on Washington Technology's 2006 Top 100 list of the largest federal IT contractors.