GLOBAL HAWK MEMO HAILED NORTHROP JOINS EUROPEANS IN JOINT VENTURE.Byline: Daily News PALMDALE -- Northrop Grumman Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) is an aerospace and defense conglomerate that is the result of the 1994 purchase of Grumman by Northrop. The company is the third largest defense contractor for the U.S. said it welcomed an agreement between the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. and Germany establishing the conditions for cooperation concerning the interoperability of Global Hawk and Euro Hawk aircraft. In Berlin on May 16, German and U.S. defense officials signed a memorandum of understanding A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is a legal document describing a bilateral or multilateral agreement between parties. It expresses a convergence of will between the parties, indicating an intended common line of action and may not imply a legal commitment. that is a step toward the Euro Hawk risk-reduction contract, which is expected in autumn. The Euro Hawk is to be derived from the U.S. Air Force RQ-4 Global Hawk The Northrop Grumman (formerly Ryan Aeronautical) RQ-4 Global Hawk (known as Tier II+ during development) is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) used by the US Air Force as a surveillance aircraft. , a computer-controlled reconnaissance plane assembled by Northrop Grumman workers in Palmdale. The Euro Hawk will be equipped with gear developed by the European Aeronautic aer·o·nau·tic also aer·o·nau·ti·cal adj. Of or relating to aeronautics. aer  o·nau Defence and Space Company or EADS EADS European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company N.V.EADS Expeditionary Air Defense System (USMC) EADS Extended Air Defense Systems EADS Environmental Assessment Data System EADS Echelons Above Division Study for collecting communications and radio signals to meet the German Air Force's requirement for a high-altitude, long-endurance signal intelligence system. ``This step is the result of six years of close trans-Atlantic cooperation,'' said Stefan Zoller, a member of the EADS executive committee. ``It's an example of a successful transatlantic partnership which will provide the German Luftwaffe not only with an integrated solution to meet their reconnaissance needs but also give them the means to control their own intelligence.'' A Global Hawk demonstration in 2003 in Germany established confidence in the Euro Hawk concept, said Scott J. Seymour, president of Northrop Grumman's Integrated Systems sector. The flights were the first by an unmanned aircraft in controlled European airspace. The demonstrator system delivery is scheduled for 2010, with contract approval for series production and initial operational capability The first attainment of the capability to employ effectively a weapon, item of equipment, or system of approved specific characteristics that is manned or operated by an adequately trained, equipped, and supported military unit or force. Also called IOC. expected in 2009. This schedule would ensure a 2010 replacement for the aging fleet of Breguet Atlantique aircraft currently in service. Northrop Grumman and EADS have established a 50-50 joint-venture company tailored to the program's requirements. This new company, named EuroHawk GmbH, is based in Friedrichshafen, Germany, and is to act as the national prime contractor for the German defense agency through the entire life cycle of the Euro Hawk system. |
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