Tackling the Drone Threat with Next-Generation Technology

Northrop Grumman’s AiON shields against enemy unmanned systems

digital tablet showing incoming drones

By Yasmin Tadjdeh

The threat of rogue and enemy drones today is starker than ever. Threats from swarms of drones are no longer on the horizon, they are here. With a proliferation of low-cost systems arming adversaries, U.S. warfighters, allies, and critical infrastructure are at risk.

The solution? AiON, Northrop Grumman's pioneering, cost-effective and low-risk counter unmanned aerial system (CUAS) command and control system.

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We see significant future opportunities to partner with other customers and allies who recognize the critical need for innovative solutions like AiON.
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– Kenn Todorov
Vice President and General Manager, Command and Control and Weapons Integration, Northrop Grumman

Proven Capability

After a decisive performance during a recent live fire test, AiON successfully demonstrated various counter drone capabilities through a prototype project with the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU). Following this achievement, any U.S. Department of War (DoW) organization may award a follow-on production transaction for AiON without further competition. 

AiON was rigorously tested at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, where it successfully demonstrated the use of advanced decision aids and full autonomous engagements.

  • AiON showcased its state-of-the-art technology by detecting, tracking, identifying and neutralizing both simulated and real targets during four engagements with perfect precision and efficiency. 
  • Beyond its operational excellence, AiON proved its advanced safety features, such as friendly air track avoidance.
  • AiON's command and control system also allows operators to manage multiple sites from any location. Its flexible, open architecture facilitates the integration of new application programming interfaces (API), sensors and effectors, providing unmatched agility to counter any UAS threat effectively.

"Northrop Grumman rapidly developed AiON to meet the urgent needs of the U.S. military," said Kenn Todorov, vice president and general manager, command and control and weapons integration at Northrop Grumman. "With AiON's strong performance at Yuma we've demonstrated our ability to innovate and quickly deliver proven capabilities into the hands of our warfighters."

soldier holding counter UAS device

The Path Forward

With any DoW organization now able to award a follow-on production transaction for AiON without further competition, new possibilities are available domestically and abroad for the system.

"We see significant future opportunities to partner with other customers and allies who recognize the critical need for innovative solutions like AiON," Todorov said.

Capacity, Scale and Agility

With nearly 100,000 employees and over 30 million square feet of manufacturing space – more than 500 football fields – Northrop Grumman has the capacity, scale, and agility to drive innovation at unprecedented speeds. The company’s manufacturing approaches do more than just produce; they accelerate and enhance the entire process from design and development to production and testing. Northrop Grumman has invested in U.S. infrastructure, R&D, its workforce, and its supply chain to deliver today and tomorrow’s national security needs.

Northrop Grumman is a leading global aerospace and defense technology company. Our pioneering solutions equip our customers with the capabilities they need to connect and protect the world, and push the boundaries of human exploration across the universe. Driven by a shared purpose to solve our customers’ toughest problems, our employees define possible every day.  

AiON was granted a prototype agreement through DIU's competitive commercial solutions opening (CSO) process, which included a standard cost-sharing arrangement.