Northrop gets extension for CLIP project

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 22 (UPI) -- U.S. company Northrop Grumman will integrate its Common Link Integration Processing system on B-1B and B-52 aircraft under a $14 million contract extension.

The company's CLIP system is a software package that allows existing platforms without a tactical data link, as well as platforms with different data links, to communicate with each other and give aircrews enhanced battlefield awareness, communications capabilities and weapons management.

Under the 17-month contract extension, Northrop Grumman will support software integration, ground and flight tests and U.S. Air Force and joint interoperability certifications.

All 66 aircraft in the B-1 bomber fleet and 94 aircraft in the B-52 fleet will be CLIP-enabled.

Northrop Grumman was awarded the initial contract to install the system in 2005.

CLIP completed its first test flight in June as a component of the B-1B Lancer Fully Integrated Data Link program, exchanging real-time unit and tracking information via the Link 16 network and the Joint Range Extension Satellite network. The operations included using Link 16 to assign a target for attack and release of a simulated Joint Direct Attack Munitions weapon to complete the mission assignment.