ORLANDO, Fla., March 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed
Martin (NYSE: LMT), Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC) and the U.S. Army
Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center
(TARDEC) recently completed initial integration for the U.S. Army's
Modular Active Protection System (MAPS) soft-kill demonstrator.
Under TARDEC soft-kill demonstrator contracts awarded in 2015,
Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman worked together to prove the
functionality of an open-architecture solution for MAPS. Using
Lockheed Martin's Open Architecture Processor and Northrop
Grumman's sensor and countermeasure systems, the team completed
initial integration in preparation for full system demonstrations
on an M1 Abrams tank in 2017.
"Industry's commitment to collaborate in developing this
critical capability is the key to a truly modular active protection
system," said Paul Lemmo, vice
president of Fire Control/SOF CLSS at Lockheed Martin Missiles and
Fire Control. "Through our collaboration, we verified the value of
an open-system design, which allows for easy integration of current
and future MAPS components."
Active protection system components, based on the MAPS Framework
which embodies open-architecture principles, can be independently
developed and rapidly integrated into a MAPS- based active
protection system. This saves time, reduces cost and helps ensure
the warfighter can be protected from ever-evolving threats. A
soft-kill capability enables the active protection system to
confuse an incoming sensor-based weapon system through spoofing,
interference or obscuration, resulting in the elimination of the
threat.
"Successful integration of the existing Northrop Grumman Passive
Infrared Cueing Sensor (PICS) and Multifunction Electro-Optic
System countermeasure (MEOS) within the MAPS framework demonstrates
the value of the open architecture construct," said Arlene Camp, vice president of surveillance and
targeting sensors at Northrop Grumman. "This open architecture
construct, combined with multifunction capabilities, highlights the
ability to adapt products developed for the air domain to the
ground vehicle mission with reduced timelines and lower costs."
Lockheed Martin's Open Architecture Processor controls and
processes information from multiple sensors and countermeasures,
and drives information displays. Designed for safety and
modularity, the Open Architecture Processor can easily accommodate
upgraded sensors, components and countermeasures as they become
available, further protecting the warfighter from emerging
threats.
Northrop Grumman is a world leader in multifunction infrared
sensor and countermeasure systems. These systems are designed with
the built-in agility to rapidly adapt to evolving threats, making
them ideal for ground vehicle active protection system
applications.
About Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman is a leading
global security company providing innovative systems, products and
solutions in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, strike, and
logistics and modernization to customers worldwide. Please visit
http://news.northropgrumman.com and follow us on Twitter, @NGCNews,
for more information.
About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a
global security and aerospace company that employs approximately
97,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research,
design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of
advanced technology systems, products and services. For additional
information, visit our website.
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SOURCE Lockheed Martin