Companies announce intention to develop the neext USAF SAR personnel recovery vehicle

Northrop Grumman Corporation and EADS North America have announced their intention to work together to provide the U.S. Air Force with the next-generation personnel recovery vehicle (PRV).

The PRV program focuses on the Air Force's immediate need to replace its primary combat search-and-rescue helicopter, the HH-60G Pave Hawk.

"The Northrop Grumman/EADS North America team brings together the best in combat-proven integrated battle management systems and leading-edge helicopter technology," said Scott J. Seymour, president of Northrop Grumman's Integrated System sector. "We can provide the warfighter with the best in network-enabled systems and the latest in helicopter technologies, all tied together with a strong performance history in lifecycle system support."

"The complex and demanding missions that require this capability mix demand that we bring together the best suppliers," Seymour added. "That's why working with EADS North America presents the best PRV solution for the Air Force."

In the future, combat search-and-rescue will require a robust, rotary wing vehicle with battle-management capabilities to ensure mission success. The PRV is a modern, helicopter-hosted battle-management system capable of tying into the Air Force's command-and-control constellation.

"EADS North America and Northrop Grumman will be the strongest, most capable team to support the U.S. Air Force's combat search-and-rescue mission," said Ralph Crosby, chairman and CEO, EADS North America. "This strategic collaboration complements EADS North America's leadership and experience in commercial and military helicopter technologies with our long-term strategy in teaming with U.S. prime contractors to provide quality defense systems to the U.S. military."

"Our team's PRV system will be an American solution, applying America's best integration capabilities," added Crosby. "Also, it will be built in America to provide maximum economic benefit in the communities where we operate and to U.S. taxpayers as well. EADS North America's subsidiary, American Eurocopter, has helicopter production facilities in the states of Texas and Mississippi that support our large customer base in the law-enforcement and homeland-security markets."

This collaboration between EADS and Northrop Grumman builds on the work the companies are doing together on other defense programs. The Euro Hawk program is a private-sector initiative of EADS and Northrop Grumman to provide unmanned high-altitude surveillance capabilities for the German Air Force. The two companies led the Transatlantic Industrial Proposed Solution offer to provide NATO with the Alliance Ground Surveillance system, a long-needed capability that transforms NATO's response force operation capabilities. More recently, EADS and Northrop Grumman signed a memorandum of understanding to identify and pursue business opportunities in the emerging global ballistic-missile defense market.

FMI: www.northropgrumman.com, www.eadsnorthamerica.com