Multi-Service Combat Support Breakthrough

Released on Friday, September 24, 2004

The Naval Air Systems Command has selected Northrop-Grumman to develop and demonstrate an electronic combat support system that covers numerous platforms as well as all US military branches and several NATO coalition partners.

Northrop-Grumman's Defensive Systems Division will develop, manufacture and demonstrate four prototypes of the Agile Rapid Global Combat Support (ARGCS) system. ARGCS is intended to support complex avionics and other electronics on numerous platforms, specially, the US Navy F/A-18 and E-2C aircraft; US Army M109A6 Paladin, Apache helicopter and M1 battle tank; US Marine Corp LAV; and US Air Force F-15 aircraft.

Testing and fielding of the joint, interoperable, scalable ARGCS is slated to occur from 2006 through 2008. It will feature a diagnostic system capable of testing and maintaining analog, digital and radio frequency assemblies at all levels of the maintenance cycle. Moreover, its modular, lighter and smaller footprint will support an operational environment and reduce time to repair and false maintenance actions thereby decreasing manpower and equipment utilization.