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.
Secretary of Defense Austin Lloyd III met with his counterparts from Australia, Japan and the Philippines to discuss bolstering defense ties on May 2. The discussion included plans for joint F-35 exercises with Japan and Australia in the coming years.