Northrop to upgrade FAA airspace system

Northrop Grumman Corp. will help the Federal Aviation Administration continue to improve air traffic control operations under a new contract that could be worth as much as $18 million over five years.

Under the terms of the contract, Northrop Grumman will provide the National Airspace System Resource and Electronic NASR systems, known collectively as NASR II, with operations, maintenance and improvements support.

NASR II oversees the systems, maintenance and upgrades for the FAA's Next Generation Air Transportation System, which is designed to increase the technological capabilities of the nation's air traffic agency to meet future air travel demands.

The company also will modify NASR II so that it will incorporate the aeronautical information exchange model and provide support for management and technical data portals.

The Los Angeles-based company will perform the work at various FAA facilities in the Washington, D.C., area.

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