Northrop Grumman has joined the BAE Systems lead Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) team. The BAE team currently consists of BAE Systems, Navistar Defense and Meritor Defense (formerly ArvinMeritor). As the new member of the team, Northrop Grumman will serve as the lead for electronics mission systems (C4ISR – command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) lead, responsible for the integration of command and control hardware and software, computers and communications equipment, sensors and sensor suites for intelligence gathering and force protection.
“Our decision to team with one of the world’s leaders in C4ISR recognizes the growing importance of situational awareness, information sharing, and command and control on the battlefield, both for vehicles and dismounted soldiers,” said Ann Hoholick, vice president and general manager of amphibious and new programs at BAE Systems explained the new move. Joe G. Taylor, Jr., Northrop Grumman Information Systems’ vice president for Ground Combat Systems added that the goal of the combined team effort is to deliver proven, low-risk solutions with the best vehicles, best payload, protection and performance that industry can offer. “Northrop Grumman will help us ensure that we provide the kind of scalable solutions the military needs, at an affordable price” Hoholick added. “By applying Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems’ substantial domain expertise, the team will develop a net-ready, open architecture system, allowing the warfighter to configure the JLTV platform rapidly and inexpensively for current and future mission needs.” The BAE Systems’ announcement said.
As one of three teams participating in the current Technology Development phase of the JLTV program the BAE team plans to compete for the next phase of the program, Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD). The BAE Lead team submitted the Valanx vehicle for the testing. The Army has announced plans to award up to two contracts for the EMD phase, which is currently scheduled for the beginning of 2012.
