NG, L-3 Com seek USN EPX contract

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Dec. 18 (UPI) -- Northrop Grumman and L-3 Communications are bidding for the U.S. Navy's EPX aircraft contract.

Northrop Grumman said in a statement Monday that they were seeking the contract "in a world-class collaboration of industry leaders. The EPX platform will provide a transformational, multi-intelligence capability delivering strike targeting information to the war fighter."

"The Navy envisions EPX as a shore-based, manned aircraft providing intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting -- ISR&T-- support to carrier strike groups and theater, combatant and national commanders. The EPX would assume the role of the Navy's EP-3E aircraft and provide greatly expanded capabilities," Northrop Grumman said.

"The proposal was submitted in response to a Navy broad agency announcement -- BAA -- issued in November that solicited bids to develop an EPX preferred system concept and analyze the risks and requirements. L-3 will serve as the principal sub-contractor to Northrop Grumman," the company said.

"Northrop Grumman and L-3 combine unmatched expertise in battle management, airborne ISR&T and the development of special mission aircraft," said Pat McMahon, vice president of Information Operations and Electronic Attack for Northrop Grumman's Integrated Systems sector. "We look forward to demonstrating our capabilities to meet the Navy's critical need for an expanded ISR&T capability in a smaller, more networked force."

"Northrop Grumman brings decades of experience in naval aviation systems integration with systems such as the E-2 Hawkeye and EA-6B Prowler," the company said.

"L-3 brings systems integration experience on a number of ISR&T aircraft, particularly as prime contractor for the EP-3E, the proven system the EPX will replace," Northrop Grumman said.

"L-3's success as a customer-focused ISR&T systems integrator is rooted in our customer responsiveness and the ability to meet mission requirements with technically innovative, platform-independent solutions," said Mike Holmes, vice president of Federal Programs for L-3's Integrated Systems subsidiary.

L-3 Integrated Systems is the industry's leading non-OEM aircraft integrator, serving major ISR&T fleets for the United States and its allies for more than 50 years. Major programs/fleets include the EP-3E, RC-135 and EC-130, as well as programs for the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and the Republic of Korea.