SAN DIEGO – June 6, 2024 – The U.S. Air Force awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) a task order for continued Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) operations, sustainment and support through January 2027. BACN enables communication and data interoperability between disparate systems, platforms and sensors. The task order secures:

• Operations and sustainment for existing and future payloads contained in or connected to the BACN system, as well as associated ground stations or controls, ancillary equipment, support equipment and system integration laboratories.
• The ability to provide persistent connectivity and operational support 24 hours a day, seven days a week for the U.S. Air Force and the critical partner missions it supports.
• Inclusion of the BACN platform in four large force customer exercises per year for the duration of the task order.

Shown above is a BACN aircraft being delivered in San Diego. Work on the BACN program is performed in San Diego, California; Warner Robins, Georgia; and overseas. (Photo Credit: Northrop Grumman)

Expert:

Kevin Berkowitz, vice president, secure processing and networks, Northrop Grumman: “As a program of record with nearly a quarter million combat and non-combat flight hours, the commitment to the program’s sustainment demonstrates the indispensable role BACN plays in today’s missions. The battlespace is becoming increasingly complex, and the data interoperability BACN provides between legacy and emerging systems will be critical to future mission success. As a trusted partner we are delivering the capabilities our customers need to respond to growing threats.”

Program Details:

Northrop Grumman’s BACN system is a high-altitude, airborne communications connectivity technology that translates and distributes imagery, voice and tactical data across various platforms and domains. This data enhances situational awareness communications and coordination to better inform joint warfighters operating across all domains.

The platform was first deployed in 2008 in response to a Joint Urgent Operational Need. Today, BACN payloads integrated on Bombardier E-11 aircrafts provide communications support to the Air Force and partner missions it supports. The BACN system has a proven track record with an open architecture design, cyber-secure processing and the ability to integrate with advanced technologies, making it a critical asset enabling Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control.

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.