Northrop Grumman to Begin Development and Operational Testing of Multi-Role Data Link System for the U.S. Army
Source: Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman Corporation has received a contract to developmentally test and operationally test the U.S. Army's Multi-Role Tactical Common Data Link (MR-TCDL). The Defense Micro-Electronics Activity awarded the 30-month, $69 million contract to support the Army's Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center (CERDEC).

The MR-TCDL system provides warfighters with critical real-time networking connectivity by enabling extremely fast exchange of data via ground, airborne and satellite networks.

"This opportunity allows us to assure our combat commanders and the U.S. Department of Defense community that they will receive all the information they need with reliable and predictable networking connectivity," said Roger U. Fujii, vice president of Network Communication Systems for Northrop Grumman's Information Systems sector. "This award is consistent with our goal to advance evolving and legacy tactical data systems throughout the military."

Northrop Grumman will integrate the MR-TCDL system on a NASA WB-57 aircraft and a Gulfstream II aircraft. The company will verify that the system meets the Army's requirements and fly the system in operationally realistic scenarios.

The Northrop Grumman team includes L-3 Communications Systems-West, Science Applications International Corporation and NASA.