Northrop to manage AF weather systems

Northrop Grumman Corp. has won a $239 million contract from the Air Force to provide support, operations control and other functions under the Systems Engineering, Management and Sustainment II contract.

Under the one-year contract, which has four one-year options, Northrop Grumman Mission Systems of Reston, Va., will help the Air Force increase the effectiveness, reliability and performance of a variety of classified and unclassified weather systems.

The Air Force Weather Agency provides several systems that deliver accurate and timely environmental information to the Defense Department to help commanders at all levels make better decisions about their battlespace.

Northrop will work on several systems, including the Global Theater Weather Analysis and Prediction System and the Joint Air Force and Army Weather Information System.

In addition to support and operations controls, the company will provide information assurance, integrated logistics and help-desk services.

Northrop Grumman also held the previous contract awarded in 2002 to TRW Inc. for $119 million. The company bought TRW in 2002.

Northrop Grumman ranks No. 3 on Washington Technology's 2007 Top 100 list of the largest federal government prime contractors.