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Northrop Grumman brings home the BACN

25th January 2021 - 10:30 GMT | by Shephard News Team

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R&D, integration, operations and sustainment of US airborne communications gateway capability included in latest $3.6 billion deal.

Northrop Grumman is to continue its involvement with the USAF Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) programme, under a new $3.6 billion contract announced by the DoD on 21 January.

The deal covers research, development, test, and evaluation, integration, operations and sustainment for existing and future BACN payloads and associated ground stations or controls, ancillary equipment, support equipment and system integration laboratories.

Work will be performed in San Diego, California, for completion by 24 January 2026.

BACN provides an airborne communications gateway capability to US commanders and warfighters, connecting voice and data link networks and enabling situation awareness across multiple levels of communications.

Shephard Defence Insight notes that BACN operates on two US platforms: the E-11A (a version of the Bombardier 700 business jet - pictured) and the EQ-4B Global Hawk UAS.

As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.

BACN