It has been nearly two years since the Army began delivering Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System components to Northrop Grumman’s facility in Huntsville.

In that time, the components were inspected and assessed. They were refurbished or re-equipped with replacement parts when necessary and returned to the Army for further testing.

IBCS Integrated Fire Control Network relays Engagement Center trailers and Engagement Operations Centers at NGs manufacturing facility waiting to be sent back to Army

BCS Integrated Fire Control Network relays Engagement Center trailers and Engagement Operations Centers await their return to the Army (Northrop Grumman Photo)

“Since these MEIs were initially delivered, they have certainly been put through their paces, most notably during last year’s rigorous (testing),” said Kenn Todorov, vice president and general manager, combat systems and mission readiness, Northrop Grumman. “Our Huntsville Manufacturing Center is operational with the resident IBCS expertise to quickly and efficiently refurbish this equipment and return it to the Army for the next demanding IBCS test milestone.”

The command system’s major end item components _ which included engagement operations centers, integrated fire control network relays, and integrated collaborative environments – required refurbishment after undergoing the testing in the White Sands (N.M.) Missile Range.

Now that the components have been returned to the Army, they will endure another round of vigorous testing. This process evaluates the system’s performance, conducted under realistic operational conditions.

IBCS is the centerpiece of the Army’s modernization strategy for air and missile defense. Northrop Grumman’s Huntsville facility in Cummings Research Park has a long history of supporting the Army’s manufacturing efforts.

This year, facility began manufacturing six shelters for Poland integrated with the battle management software.