MCLEAN, Va., Dec. 5 (UPI) -- Modernization of the U.S. Air Force's Air Operation Center Weapons System will continue to receive support from Northrop Grumman.
Company support during the engineering and manufacturing development phase of the program -- during which time detailed design, formal testing and fielding will occur – follows Milestone B approval from the Department of Defense.
Northrop Grumman said the award, an option of a 2012 contract, is worth $81 million.
"Milestone B is an important Department of Defense endorsement for the acquisition strategy of the AOC WS modernization program," said Mike Twyman, vice president and general manager of defense systems division for Northrop Grumman Information Systems. "We look forward to continued collaboration with the Air Force to realize the affordability benefits and a fully integrated, evolvable net-centric capability."
The Air Operation Center Weapons System is a main tool for planning and executing an air campaign and supporting other major Air Force missions. It conducts strategy development, target development, choice of weapons and weapons allocation, and tasking orders.
Northrop Grumman said it will apply an open systems approach to modernization and will integrate cybersecurity technologies.
