Saab and Northrop Grumman join forces on battlefield command and control systems

South Australian-based defence systems company Saab Systems Pty Ltd has teamed with Northrop Grumman Corporation to provide a full spectrum command support and control system for the Australian Army for the next phase of the Land 75 Project (Battlefield Command Support System).

Merv Davis, Managing Director of Saab Systems Australia, said the agreement enables a ‘best of breed’ approach. “Under the agreement the two companies combine individual capabilities to offer the Australian Army flexibility and enhanced interoperability.”

Saab Systems leads Australia in the design, systems integration, delivery and support of defence command and control systems with highly successful projects in battlefield-based and ship-based systems.

Saab has been the prime contractor for the Battlefield Command Support System (BCSS) since 1998 and is currently contracted to develop a significantly enhanced version (Release 8) of BCSS for delivery in August 2006.

Northrop Grumman’s Mission Systems sector provides command and control networking capabilities to the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, and coalition partners. Systems include Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below; Blue Force Tracking; Command and Control Personal Computer; and Coalition Force Tracker. 

According to Merv Davis these systems provide joint coalition forces with a clear, continuous common operating picture of the battlefield in Iraq and Afghanistan, “and they are continuously evolving to meet warfighters’ needs,” he said.

“Together Saab and Northrop Grumman are committed to providing the Australian Army and the wider ADF with the world’s best coalition Battlespace Management Systems.

“We have worked with Northrop Grumman before and are keen to continue this great partnership. Plus this opens a new avenue for export of Australian products,” Mr Davis added.

Saab and Northrop Grumman will demonstrate joint and combined coalition interoperability between respective United States and Australian systems at both the Land Warfare Conference and the International Data Links Symposium in early October 2005.

28 September 2005