Northrop Grumman Consolidates UAV Capabilities In New Unmanned Systems Integrated Product Team
LOS ANGELES --- Northrop Grumman Corporation's Integrated Systems and Aerostructures (ISA) sector has established a new Unmanned Systems integrated product team (IPT) to manage current contracts and capture new business in the fast-growing market for unmanned air vehicles (UAV).
This action follows the company's recent acquisition of Ryan Aeronautical, a leader in the design, development and manufacture of UAVs. The new IPT combines Ryan's expertise with Northrop Grumman's existing UAV talent and resources.
Unmanned Systems will manage the RQ-4A Global Hawk high altitude endurance UAV; BQM-74/Chukar and BQM-34 Firebee aerial target systems; ADM-160 Miniature Air-Launched Decoy (MALD), and the BQM-145A medium-range UAV. The team, which will be based in San Diego, is headed by Robert A. K. Mitchell, vice president-Unmanned Systems.
"Formation of the new IPT will significantly strengthen and expand what is already a highly experienced and skilled UAV/targets capability," Mr. Mitchell said. "It affords us an exceptional opportunity to move into the next century as the world leader in the development and production of unmanned systems."
In order to maintain a lean, productive and cost-effective organization, operations activities of the IPT will move to Palmdale, Calif., adjacent to Northrop Grumman's B-2 facility at Air Force Plant 42. This includes consolidation of BQM-74/Chukar target production, currently in Hawthorne, Calif., with final assembly of the BQM-34 Firebee target, presently in San Diego. In addition, assembly and integration testing of Global Hawk developmental air vehicles will move from San Diego to Palmdale. Relocation of the various vehicle assembly and flight test support functions is expected to be complete by April 2000.
As previously announced, the Ryan Aeronautical Center will move to a new location in San Diego, where it will serve as the Unmanned Systems' management, engineering and administrative headquarters. Northrop Grumman's existing UAV systems management and engineering in Hawthorne will move to the new location in San Diego. The relocation should be complete by July of next year.
Establishment of the IPT will result in employment reductions, primarily in Hawthorne. The number of jobs impacted is still being determined. Currently, about 100 people at Northrop Grumman's Hawthorne facilities are employed on Unmanned Systems. The IPT employs a total of about 550 people.
Northrop Grumman's Integrated Systems and Aerostructures (ISA) sector, headquartered in Dallas, Tex., is a premier aerospace systems integration enterprise. ISA has the capabilities to design, develop, integrate, produce and support complete systems, as well as airframe subsystems for airborne surveillance and battle management aircraft, early warning aircraft, airborne electronic warfare aircraft, air combat aircraft and commercial aerostructures.
Northrop Grumman Corporation, headquartered in Los Angeles, is a leading designer, systems integrator and manufacturer of military surveillance and combat aircraft, defense electronics and systems, airspace management systems, information systems, marine systems, precision weapons, space systems, and commercial and military aerostructures.
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Northrop Grumman Consolidates UAV Capabilities In New Unmanned Systems Integrated Product Team
