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Soldiers

Marine Corps Extends Contract for Revolutionary Radar System with Northrop Grumman

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Marine Corps has extended Northrop Grumman's contract by $14 million to further develop the G/ATOR (Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar) system, a revolutionary mobile radar system designed to consolidate five different radar systems currently in use by the Corps. The G/ATOR system aims to provide a more efficient and mobile radar system, capable of performing multiple missions, including air-defense surveillance, air-traffic control, short-range air defense, and ground-weapon-locating.

Key Takeaways:

  • The G/ATOR system is the largest Marine Corps radar program ever, with a contract value of $256.6 million initially awarded to Northrop Grumman in March 2007.
  • The system will combine the attributes of five different radar systems currently in use by the Corps, replacing five of the six existing systems.
  • Over 100 people at Northrop's Linthicum facility are working full-time on the radar system, which will be more efficient and mobile than current systems used by the Marine Corps.
  • The G/ATOR system will save the Marines a decent amount of money since five sets of documentation will be reduced to one, and the Marines typically keep radars for 25 to 30 years.
  • The system uses active electronically scanned array technology, replacing older and outdated technology.
  • Jacques Gansler, former under secretary of defense, stated that cost overruns of this nature are typical in defense contracts and $14 million is not a major concern.

Statistics:

  • The G/ATOR system contract was initially valued at $256.6 million.
  • The contract has been extended by $14 million.
  • Over 100 people are working full-time on the radar system at Northrop's Linthicum facility.
  • The Marines typically keep radars for 25 to 30 years.
  • The G/ATAR system will reduce the need for five sets of documentation to one.

Sources:

  • Euclid Infotech Pvt. Ltd.
  • "G/ATOR Mobile Radar System", Northrop Grumman
  • "Marine Corps Extends Contract for Revolutionary Radar System with Northrop Grumman", Euclid Infotech Pvt. Ltd.

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