HUNTSVILLE, Ala., Jan. 3 (UPI) -- Development and sustainment work of the mid-course element of the U.S. ballistic defense system will be performed by a special Boeing-Northrop Grumman team.
The companies announced they received the contract for ground-based midcourse defense from the U.S. Missile Defense Agency following a proposal process.
"Today's award is the culmination of a two-year proposal process that brought together a broad industry group committed to delivering innovative solutions and a cost-effective approach to program management and execution," Dennis Muilenburg, president and chief executive officer of Boeing Defense, Space and Security said late last week.
"We are privileged to have been partners with the Missile Defense Agency through development and deployment of the GMD system and now, with Northrop Grumman, we are honored to continue that partnership in this next phase of the program."
GMD development, integration, testing, operations and sustainment activities will be led by Boeing, while Northrop will be responsible for ground system components.
"The DSC ushers in a new era for the GMD program and our partnership with Boeing brings together the very best minds in the industry for this national security capability," said Wes Bush, chairman, chief executive and president of Northrop Grumman.
"By combining Northrop Grumman's 50-year experience and success on the nation's Minuteman ICBM program with Boeing's heritage GMD leadership, we provide the optimum mix of integrated development and sustainment capabilities for a system that demands nothing less."
