US and German defense giants to collaborate on integrated air and missile defense system

Europe, News, US March 13, 2024 , by IRIA No Comments

U.S.-based defense giant, Northrop Grumman, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Germany’s Diehl Defense on March 12, 2024, formalizing their commitment to work together to support innovative layered air and missile defense capabilities for Germany.

The groundbreaking MoU between the two defense giants would cover a study to confirm the feasibility of integrating Diehl Defense’s IRIS-T SLM ground-based air defense systems (GBAD) with Northrop Grumman’s Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS).

The two companies have mutually agreed to collaborate in exploring shared applications of the IRIS-T SLM ground-based air defense system (GBAD) and IBCS in Germany and other European countries.

Vice President and General Manager of the global battle management and readiness department at Northrop Grumman, Rebecca Torzone, signed the MoU with the senior Vice President of the ground-based air defense business unit at Diehl Defense Torsten Cook in Berlin.

Torzone said “Today marks a pivotal moment in our commitment to advancing defense capabilities together with German industry. By joining forces with Diehl Defense, we embark on a collaborative journey to shape the future of integrated air and missile defense.”

Northrop Grumman and Diehl defense collaboration MoU — ^{Vice president and general manager of global battle management and readiness at Northrop Grumman Rebecca Torzone and senior vice president of ground-based air defense business unit at Diehl Defence Torsten Cook sign a Memorandum of Understanding in Berlin to support innovative layered air and missile defense solutions for Germany. (Image Credit: Northrop Grumman)}

“We are excited about this partnership which offers new options to our IRIS-T SLM customers. For example, utilizing several GBAD systems such as IRIS-T SLM and Patriot in parallel improves interoperability and thus increases the combat value of the systems used,” Cook said following the MoU signing.

The Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS) is a U.S. Army’s battle control system that facilitates the connection of various sensors and effectors into a unified command and control system. Its primary objective is to establish a fully integrated network, allowing for seamless exchange of fire control data among all available assets within the battlespace.

Moreover, it can provide command and control functionalities tailored to different command levels. Plans are underway for its implementation in Patriot air defense systems worldwide.

^{Northrop Grumman integrated the widest variety of sensors to date on the Integrated Fire Control Network for an IBCS test, including Marine Corps Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar, Army Sentinel radars, Army Patriot radar, and U.S. Air Force F-35 fighter aircraft. (Image Credit: Northrop Grumman)}

The potential integration of Diehl Defense’s GBAD systems with IBCS would provide European users with compatibility with additional GBAD systems. This integration would further bolster the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI) by enhancing interoperability among diverse capabilities from multiple nations.

According to the statement released by Northrop Grumman, the command-and-control capabilities for IAMD provide adaptability and scalability, crucial for tailoring to mission-specific needs. The IBCS is instrumental in integrating diverse assets across the battlespace, fostering a unified operational picture, and facilitating swift, informed decision-making to enhance engagement strategies.

The IRIS-T SLM, a surface-to-air guided missile system developed for the German Tactical Air Defense, boasts an improved rocket motor for increased range. It offers comprehensive 360-degree defense against a variety of threats and is designed for easy integration into existing and forthcoming air defense networks, enhancing flexibility and protection capabilities.