Will Upgrade Three Add'l Prowlers For Navy

Northrop Grumman Corporation was recently awarded a contract from the US Navy to upgrade three additional fleet EA-6B Prowler aircraft with the latest electronic attack system. Capable of degrading and disrupting enemy electronic activities, Prowlers are flown by the Navy and Marine Corps to support ground troops, airborne forces and ships at sea.

The $6.8 million contract includes an option to upgrade a fourth aircraft for an additional $2 million.

The contract is for the installation of Improved Capability (ICAP) III kits, which Northrop Grumman has produced under a separate contract, into fleet EA-6B aircraft. Kits include the new ALQ-218 receiver, a new crew-workstation display system, and other hardware and software items.

First delivery is April 2008. The installation will occur at the company's St. Augustine, FL manufacturing center. To date, three Navy squadrons have been outfitted with the new ICAP III airborne electronic attack system; all three have seen service in Iraq.

"The ICAP III electronic attack weapon serves every sailor, soldier, Marine and airman in theater, and its operators are finding new, creative ways to use it to ensure the safety and success of our military in the air and on the ground," said Patricia McMahon, vice president of Electronic Support and Attack Solutions for Northrop Grumman. "As the premier designer and producer of airborne electronic attack systems in the United States, and by decades the most experienced in the world, we've come to understand that such systems are critical to success in the global war on terrorism."

Once these four ICAP III kits are installed, there will be 15 operational ICAP III Prowlers in service with the Navy. The current expectation is that the Department of the Navy will be operating ICAP III Prowlers until 2018. ICAP III is also the basis for the electronic attack system that Northrop Grumman is building for the EA-18G Growler, which will eventually replace the Navy's Prowlers, and for future airborne electronic attack systems.

FMI: www.northropgrumman.com, www.navy.mil