Northrop Grumman receives FAA contract to upgrade nation's air traffic control radars
BALTIMORE, 9 May 2006. Northrop Grumman Corp. Electronic Systems Sector in Baltimore won a contract from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to modify transmitters on 135 ASR-9 air traffic control radars to enhance performance and operational availability, while reducing operation and maintenance costs.
This $40 million award is the latest in the FAA's multi-phase, ASR-9 sustainment program, intended to extend the service life of the ASR-9 through the year 2025. Prior service phases involved weather and processing system upgrades, a detailed service life extension study, development of a proof-of-concept system, and validation of specific antenna and transmitter modifications. The program is administered by the FAA's Air Traffic Organization.
"Every major airport in America has an ASR-9 radar built by Northrop Grumman," says Tom Chrzanowski, director of FAA Air Traffic Management Systems at Northrop Grumman's Electronic Systems sector.
"All told, these radars enable air traffic controllers to monitor the arrival and departure of over 90 percent of all domestic air traffic, and provide important air surveillance information over major metropolitan areas for homeland security and defense. The transmitter modification will simplify the process by which the ASR-9 generates a tracking pulse."
