Northrop Grumman Corporation and Diehl Defence GmbH & Co. KG signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) formalizing their commitment to work together to support innovative layered air and missile defense capabilities for Germany.

Northrop Grumman's expertise in IAMD and control capabilities, such as the US Army's Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS), complements Diehl's state-of-the-art ground based air and missile defense systems, such as IRIS-T SLM, by enabling integration and interoperability with allied systems.

The MOU facilitates collaboration by allowing the companies to use their expertise to explore advanced technologies that would support the seamless integration of Germany's air and missile defense systems. The memorandum also addresses the critical need for NATO and European allies to modernize IAMD capabilities.

Experts:

Rebecca Torzone, vice president and general manager, global battle management and readiness, Northrop Grumman: "Today marks a pivotal moment in our commitment to advancing defense capabilities together with German industry. By joining forces with Diehl Defence, we embark on a collaborative journey to shape the future of integrated air and missile defense."

Torsten Cook, senior vice president, ground based air defense business unit, Diehl Defence: "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."

Details on Northrop Grumman's IAMD Command and Control Capabilities and Diehl's IRIS-T SLM:

Northrop Grumman's IAMD command and control capabilities offer warfighters scale and flexibility to meet the needs of their unique missions. IBCS, developed for the US Army, serves as a fundamental element with its ability to unify current and future assets across the battlespace, regardless of source, service or domain. Through its modular, open and scalable architecture, it gives warfighters new capabilities by fusing sensor data for a single, actionable picture of the full battlespace that enables rapid, informed decisions to optimize shooters.

The IRIS-T SLM is a surface-to-air guided missile that features an enhanced rocket motor for extended range. Developed for German Tactical Air Defence, IRIS-T SLM is launched from a multi-function container, providing 360-degree protection against aircraft, helicopters, drones and missiles. It can be integrated into various existing and future air defense systems through connection to fire control systems via standardized and software-based interfaces.