(By Balaseshan) Northrop Grumman Corp. (NYSE: NOC) said it has successfully completed its technology demonstration contract for the U.S. Navy's Air and Missile Defense Radar (AMDR).
The company closed its technology demonstration contract by achieving both contract objectives: demonstrating that the critical technology is mature and advancing the design of the tactical system.
Northrop Grumman also successfully completed far field range testing of the technology demonstration prototype system at its radar test site.
The AMDR active electronically scanned array (AESA) was able to demonstrate prototype performance after radiating at top power for all waveforms.
Northrop Grumman was awarded the $120 million AMDR technology demonstration contract in September 2010. The company successfully completed near field range testing earlier this year, which included validating the AMDR's digital beam forming performance and digital tune techniques.
"This contract performance clearly establishes the maturity and readiness of the Northrop Grumman AMDR design to begin the engineering and manufacturing development phase. This is the latest evidence that Northrop Grumman can deliver affordable, S-band AESA systems that meet customer requirements and extend their buying power," said Pat Antkowiak, vice president and general manager of Northrop Grumman's Advanced Concepts and Technologies division.
Currently, the company's AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) S-band AESA radar system being developed for the U.S. Marine Corps is undergoing development and testing at Wallops Island, Virginia.
Northrop Grumman also designed and produced the world's largest S-band AESA, which is currently performing well during sea trials with the U.S. Navy.
NOC closed Friday's regular session at $65.36. The stock has been trading between $52.69 and $71.25 for the past 52 weeks.