Our C4ISR Heritage

 

Northrop Grumman's C4ISR leadership builds on a rich history of innovation and success. Explore pivotal moments in the development of C4ISR technologies over the past century.

 

 

Timeline

 
Grumman SF-1

1932

Grumman SF-1

The Grumman SF-1 scout aircraft makes its first flight.

December 7 Attack on Pearl Harbor

1941

December 7 Attack on Pearl Harbor

An SCR-270 radar detects the December 7 attack on Pearl Harbor; its warnings go unheeded because of high-level uncertainty about the new technology's reliability.

December 7 Attack on Pearl Harbor

1953

Pulse Doppler Radar

The company patents the key technologies for pulse doppler radar, the basis for all airborne radars in use today.

December 7 Attack on Pearl Harbor

1958

Lightweight Inertial Navigation System

Lightweight inertial navigation system for aircraft becomes operational.

Explorer VI

1959

Explorer VI

Explorer VI, the first satellite to capture images of the earth, is launched.

E-2 Hawkeye

1960

E-2 Hawkeye

First flight of the E-2 Hawkeye carrier-borne advanced early-warning aircraft. The current generation is designated E-2D.

E-2 Hawkeye

1962

Tactical Data System

First prime contract win to directly support the Tactical Data System.

Defense Support Program

1970

Defense Support Program

The first Defense Support Program missile warning satellite is launched into orbit.

DSCS II

1971

DSCS II

TRW designs DSCS II, a global military communications network.

Guardrail Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Aircraft

1971

Guardrail Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Aircraft

The Guardrail signals intelligence (SIGINT) aircraft enters service.

E-3 AWACS

1976

E-3 AWACS

Westinghouse delivers the first E-3 AWACS long-range surveillance radar.

E-3 AWACS

1983

U.S. Department of Defense's Strategic Defense Initiative

The company creates the first laser radar used in space as part of the U.S. Department of Defense's Strategic Defense Initiative.

E-8C Joint STARS (Surveillance, Target and Attack Radar System)

1988

E-8C Joint STARS (Surveillance, Target and Attack Radar System)

The E-8C Joint STARS (Surveillance, Target and Attack Radar System) makes its first flight.

B-2 Stealth Bomber

1989

B-2 Stealth Bomber

First flight of the B-2 stealth bomber, a descendant of Jack Northrop's flying wing design.

Milstar

1994

Milstar

Milstar, the next generation of military communications satellites, is launched.

Air and Missile Defense Workstation (AMDWS)

1996

Air and Missile Defense Workstation (AMDWS)

Northrop Grumman fields the first version of the Air and Missile Defense Workstation (AMDWS), which provides a composite air defense picture to warfighters.

RQ-4A Global Hawk

1998

RQ-4A Global Hawk

First flight of the RQ-4A Global Hawk. The MP-RTIP (Multi-Platform Radar Improvement Program) sensor will fly on the Block 40 version of the aircraft.

Multi-Role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) Antenna

2002

Multi-Role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) Antenna

Northrop Grumman rolls out the Multi-Role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) antenna for the Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft.

Multi-Role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) Antenna

2002

Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS)

The Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS) enters service with the Air Force; it automates mission planning through the development of common components and software that can be shared across all platforms.

Multi-Role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) Antenna

2004

Light Weight Wide Aperture Array (LWWAA)

Light Weight Wide Aperture Array (LWWAA), a fiber optic acoustic sensor, is integrated on Virginia Class submarines.

Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS)

2006

Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS)

The first Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) satellite achieves orbit with Northrop Grumman sensor payloads on board.

Force XXI Battle Command, Brigade and Below Blue Force Tracking

2006

Force XXI Battle Command, Brigade and Below Blue Force Tracking

Force XXI Battle Command, Brigade and Below (FBCB2) Blue Force Tracking capability integrated on the Joint STARS aircraft.

Guardian™

2007

Guardian™

Guardian™ anti-missile system reaches 100,000-hour milestone.

AEHF-1 (Advanced Extreme High Frequency) Satellite

2010

AEHF-1 (Advanced Extreme High Frequency) Satellite

Northrop Grumman's communications payload launches aboard the AEHF-1 (Advanced Extreme High Frequency) satellite, which provides joint, interoperable and assured connectivity for warfighters.

2012

CANES Modular C4I System

Northrop Grumman fields the first CANES modular, open systems architecture C4I system with the Navy.

X-47B Unmanned Aircraft

2013

X-47B Unmanned Aircraft

The X-47B becomes the first unmanned aircraft to catapult from and land on an aircraft carrier, pointing the way for future autonomous strike and C4ISR capabilities.

X-47B Unmanned Aircraft

2014

Upgrading the Navy's C4I Systems

The company is selected to upgrade cybersecurity, command and control, communications and intelligence (C4I) systems across the Navy fleet.

G/ATOR

2014

G/ATOR

G/ATOR, the DoD's first multi-mission ground radar, enters low-rate initial production.

NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS)

2015

NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS)

NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) aircraft unveiled.

missile Destroyer USS Shoup

2016

Next-Generation Unmanned System

An illustration of Tern DARPA Awards Northrop Grumman Contract for Full-Scale Demonstration Program of Next-Generation Unmanned System for Maritime ISR and Strike

CIRCM is a lightweight countermeasure system that uses laser energy to defend aircraft against infrared threats

2016

Common Infrared Countermeasure (CIRCM)

Northrop Grumman Delivers First Common Infrared Countermeasure (CIRCM) Systems to US Army

2016

Counter-UAS Technologies

Northrop Grumman Demonstrates Counter-UAS Technologies

Airborne Laser Mine Detection System attached to a helicopter

2017

Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS)

US Navy's AN/AES-1 Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS) Achieves Initial Operational Capability

radar on truck trailer

2017

G/ATOR

Northrop Grumman Delivers First Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) Production System to US Marine Corps

Missile Defense Integration and Operations Center

2017

First-Ever ICBM Target Intercept Test

Northrop Grumman Directs Engagement in First-Ever ICBM Target Intercept Test

Northrop Grumman AN/APG-83 SABR Radar Achieves Initial Installation Milestone for Air National Guard F-16s

2017

SABR

United States Air Force Selects the Northrop Grumman APG-83 SABR for F-16 AESA Radar Upgrade

2017

Next-Generation Satellite Communications

Northrop Grumman Australia Awarded Contract to Deliver Next-Generation Satellite Communications for the Australian Defence Force

close up of satellite

2018

Vanguard

Northrop Grumman Unveils "Vanguard" Open Architecture Radar Solution

radar on truck flatbed

2018

Joint Threat Emitter (JTE)

Northrop Grumman to Provide Joint Threat Emitter (JTE) Advanced Electronic Warfare Simulation and Training Capability to the US Air Force

Northrop Grumman in Poland banner

2019

Poland Next-Generation Air and Missile Defense System

Northrop Grumman Awarded to provide Poland Next-Generation Air and Missile Defense System

E-2D aircraft on takeoff over forrest

2019

E-2D Aircraft

Northrop Grumman Awarded Multi-Year Contract for 24 E-2D Aircraft