Northrop Grumman and the Air Force’s Electronic Systems Center signed a research and development agreement to develop network-centric operations capabilities, according a Northrop news release. Under the 24-month collaborative agreement, Northrop and the Air Force will use Northrop’s cyber warfare integration network, crew advanced virtual environment, and E-8X laboratories to further work on situation awareness and time-critical targeting. Northrop also will develop a “capstone demonstration plan leading to a live multi-platform network-centric operations demonstration,” according to Northrop.
The Space Development Agency is set to launch 21 Tranche 1 data transport satellites on Oct. 5—its fourth Tranche 1 mission since last fall and the first to carry Northrop Grumman-built satellites.