Sarah Sybert
Northrop Grumman has been awarded a $3.6 billion indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract from the U.S. Air Force to continue Battlefield Airborne Communications Node operations, sustainment and support, the company reported on Wednesday.Â
“We are honored to work with the Air Force to continue to bring the critical gateway communications capabilities of the BACN program to U.S. warfighters operating around the world,†said Ben Davies, vice president and general manager of networked information solutions division at Northrop.
Under the potential five-year contract, Northrop will support research, development, test, evaluation, integration, operations and sustainment for BACN system payloads. The contract also provides for associated ground stations or controls, ancillary equipment, support equipment and system integration laboratories.
Northrop’s BACN system is hosted on high-altitude aircraft and is an airborne communications gateway designed to translate and distribute imagery, voice and tactical data from disparate elements. The company’s system works to advance situational awareness communications and coordination for joint warfighters operating across space, air, land and sea.
“This IDIQ award demonstrates the commitment to the continued success of the BACN program,†Davies added.
Work will be performed in San Diego, California, and overseas locations through Jan. 24, 2026. The Air Force obligated $23.7 million with the initial task order at the time of award.
The BACN is designed to work with the Global Hawk unmanned aircraft system and help military operators collect data. The company noted it originally developed the node as a technology demonstrator.
About Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman solves the toughest problems in space, aeronautics, defense and cyberspace to meet the ever evolving needs of our customers worldwide. Our 90,000 employees define possible every day using science, technology and engineering to create and deliver advanced systems, products and services.
