BAE, Northrop team to chase Army, Marine deal

BAE Systems and Northrop Grumman Corp. have formed a team to pursue the Common Army and Marine Command and Control program. BAE is the team's prime contractor, company officials confirmed.

The program, which tentatively is scheduled for award in August, is estimated to be worth as much as $400 million over seven years, BAE said.

The program will enhance battle command situational awareness to Army and Marine forces by providing them with a common display of the battlefield. Such capability would better enable commanders to operate away from fixed command posts so that they can position themselves for maximum effectiveness.

The team combines experience in command, control, communications, computers and intelligence on a number of military programs to modernize U.S. forces and their equipment.

BAE emphasized its role in military communications, while Northrop Grumman cited its experience in command and control and mobile tactical operation centers.

BAE Systems of Rockville, Md., ranks No. 11 on Washington Technology's 2006 Top 100 list of the largest federal IT contractors. The 2007 Top 100 list is due out May 14.