Northrop Grumman to modernise U.S. fixed wing airborne ISR fleet

Air December 8, 2017

Northrop Grumman has been contracted to carry out a £750M modernisation, providing life-cycle services for the U.S. Army’s fleet of Special Electronic Mission Aircraft (SEMA).

For Northrop Grumman the lucrative award win represents a base year contract with eight option years, extending to 2027. As part of this, the contractor will deliver specialist services in support of 75 aircraft.

Crucially, the team brings with it more the 50 years of army-focused, SEMA-specific airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) development and maintenance expertise.

“We understand SEMA aircraft and the important and unique role it plays in the collection of actionable intelligence around the world,” said John Parker, Vice President of Global Logistics and Modernization at Northrop Grumman Technology Services.

“Our lifecycle services and cutting edge collection of capabilities not only ensure the aircraft is mission capable today, but also well into the future through an offering of innovative improvement and modernization solutions.”

Currently, the fixed wing airborne ISR complement includes the RC-12X Guardrail, the Enhanced Medium Altitude Reconnaissance Surveillance System and Airborne Reconnaissance Low variants.

Northrop Grumman will have responsibility for programme and supply chain management, systems engineering and modification, and aircraft alterations and elective upgrades. Joining them is King Aerospace and M1 Support Services, each of whom have years of SEMA-specific knowledge and experience.

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ISR King Aerospace M1 Support Services Northrop Grumman SEMA U.S. Army