Northrop Grumman has been awarded a $64 million contract by the U.K. Ministry of Defence (MoD) to design, develop, integrate, test and support the Mode S upgrade to the Identification Friend or Foe Interrogator for the Sentry E-3D Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft based at RAF Waddington.
The IFF interrogator is an airborne defense system that provides a long-range, rapid early warning and detection capability allowing discrimination between friendly and hostile forces. The Mode S system will enable the aircraft to be used in controlled airspace.
Work will be performed under Northrop Grumman’s existing Sentry E-3D Whole Life Support Program (WLSP) and elements of the work were considered for buy or build and subsequent competitive subcontracts. It will be the largest modification the company has carried out to date for the Sentry aircraft fleet and will help maintain their compliance with future global air traffic management requirements, Northrop Grumman said. The work will be carried out at RAF Waddington, U.K., as well as at Northrop Grumman’s facilities in Herndon, Va., Warner Robins, Ga., and Melbourne, Fla.