Northrop Grumman Successfully Integrates Multifunction RAPTR Sensor and Mini-CNI In Flight

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Northrop Grumman Corporation successfully completed a demonstration at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst to improve the survivability and lethality of the U.S. Army’s Future Vertical Lift (FVL) platforms, a key enabler for Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2).

During the demonstration, Northrop Grumman simultaneously transmitted advanced sensor data and communications using the company’s Re Scalable Aperture for Precision Targeting Radar (RAPTR) and Mini-Communications, Navigation, Identification (Mini-CNI) systems on a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. The RAPTR and Mini-CNI performed bi-directional air-to-ground communications functions while performing air-to-air searching and tracking of targets. These capabilities support crewed-uncrewed teaming and long-range precision fires for the DoD.

“This flight test was a key step in demonstrating the ability to integrate multifunction sensors and advanced communications and networking systems into the FVL ecosystem that will provide warfighters with a number of new line-of-sight capabilities,” said Susan Bruce, vice president, advanced mission capabilities, Northrop Grumman. “These combined solutions will extend the operational reach of joint and coalition partners and will improve lethality, survivability and targeting against any threat for decision dominance in contested environments.”

The successful flight test advances Northrop Grumman’s journey to enable JADC2 using multi-domain solutions and decades of experience, delivering proven technologies used across high-profile DoD platforms. These solutions will enhance situational awareness; improve interoperability across platforms; adapt to emerging mission demands; and securely distribute critical information needed for mission success.

Both Northrop Grumman’s RAPTR and Mini-CNI offer a software-defined, modular open systems architecture approach that supports rapid integration with innovative third parties and is designed to provide flexibility for future growth while reducing cost, risk and time to deploy.

The demonstration is part of a series that showcases Northrop Grumman’s FVL capabilities.

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