Missile Defense
- Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) Battle Management, Command, Control and Communication (BMC3)
- Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System
- Missile Defense Integration and Operations Center
From a remote command center in Colorado, the U.S. military monitors the globe for hostile missile launches against the United States. If a threat is detected, commanders have only minutes to respond. The Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) is the only operationally deployed missile defense program to protect the United States against long-range ballistic missile attacks.
Northrop Grumman is developing the Battle Management Command, Control and Communications (BMC3) element for the GMDS program, under contract to The Boeing Company. Northrop Grumman BMC3 products for the GMDS include the Battle Management Command and Control (BMC2) system, the In-Flight Interceptor Communications System (IFICS), the Communications Node Equipment, the Network/System Manager, and the BMC3 Test Exerciser (TEx).
Better known as the "brains" of the GMD, the BMC3 element provides a wealth of information to decision makers - including battle management displays and situational awareness data - so that commanders can effectively plan, select and adjust all the elements to help negate an incoming threat. More than one million lines of code have been developed by Northrop Grumman for GMD BMC3 products.
The current BMC3 contract is primarily intended to develop an effective GMD command and control structure, facilitate GMD program integration, and develop the IFICS System. The Northrop Grumman-designed In-Flight Interceptor Communications System is the BMC3 communications link to the GMD interceptors as they fly out to the target, transmitting critical updates to aid in acquisition and identification and to assist in the intercept.
The Northrop Grumman-developed Test Exerciser (TEx) is a real-time modeling and simulation tool kit developed specifically for missile defense and is being used for GMD purposes. TEx software provides the environment for developing, testing, and integrating system concepts, as well as analysis of performance and effectiveness. Northrop Grumman's TEx has been selected as the M&S tool to support the GMDS System Trainer - providing best-in-class training for America's GMD warfighter.
For more information visit the Northrop Grumman Missile Defense web site:
www.northropgrumman.com/missiledefense/index.html