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BAE SYSTEMS Enters Discussions To Join Northrop Grumman Watchkeeper Team

07 Feb 2003

BAE Systems C4ISR has entered discussions with Northrop Grumman to join the Northrop Grumman-led international team that was down-selected by the UK Defence Procurement Agency (DPA) to fulfil one of two Systems Integration Assurance Phase (SIAP) contracts for the next stage of the 800+ million WATCHKEEPER programme.

It is anticipated that BAE Systems will have a significant role in the building of an extensive UK modelling and simulation environment, which will further refine the Northrop Grumman solution to the UK Ministry of Defence's requirement for a sophisticated airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition & Reconnaissance (ISTAR) capability using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) as 'imagery collectors'.

BAE Systems C4ISR Managing Director, Phill Blundell, commented "We are delighted with the opportunity to join the Northrop Grumman team for the WATCHKEEPER SIAP. BAE Systems has world-class UK-based engineering and integration skills that will ensure WATCHKEEPER is optimally integrated within the UK's C4ISTAR system architecture."
About WATCHKEEPER:

The WATCHKEEPER ISTAR UAV requirement has a target Initial Operating Capability of 2006 and a Full Operating Capability by 2007/8. WATCHKEEPER will collect, process and disseminate imagery intelligence direct to Divisional, Brigade and Battlegroup command levels, interfacing seamlessly with other UK systems such as BOWMAN, ASTOR, Future Rapid Effects System (FRES) and indirect fire systems.