Northrop Grumman Selected by US Army to Enhance Aircraft Survivability

Estimated reading time: 1 minute

 Northrop Grumman Corporation has been selected by the U.S. Army to compete in the first phase of the Improved Threat Detection System program, featuring Northrop Grumman’s Advanced Tactical Hostile Engagement Awareness (ATHENA) sensor on an Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) through the Consortium Management Group, Inc., on behalf of the Consortium for Command, Control and Communications in Cyberspace (C5).

• ATHENA is a next-generation missile warning sensor providing always-on, 360-degree situational awareness — elevating aircraft protection and survivability.
• The ATHENA sensor delivers high-resolution, surround video and wide-band threat detection that can quickly geolocate incoming Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) threats, including hostile fire and anti-tank guided missiles, small arms, medium- and large-caliber machine guns, rocket propelled grenades and anti-tank guided munitions.

Expert:

Dennis Neel, survivability development programs director, Northrop Grumman: “ATHENA can see where pilots can’t, even looking through an aircraft floor. The sensor delivers safety in-flight through advanced threat warning capabilities and situational awareness previously limited to larger aircraft, making missions safer for pilots and aircrews.”

Details on Program:

Northrop Grumman’s ATHENA sensor meets today’s mission needs while providing the U.S. Army with connected, multi-service capabilities to identify future threats. The sensor has performed in several government live-fire exercises. As a form/fit replacement for legacy aircraft sensors, it seamlessly integrates into an aircraft with flare or laser-based countermeasure systems, such as the Common Infrared Countermeasure system.