Northrop Grumman Corporation (NGC) has successfully completed its technology demonstration contract for the U.S. Navy's Air and Missile Defense Radar (AMDR) by achieving both contract objectives: demonstrating that the critical technology is mature and advancing the design of the tactical system.

Northrop Grumman also successfully completed far field range testing of the technology demonstration prototype system at its radar test site. The AMDR active electronically scanned array (AESA) was able to demonstrate prototype performance after radiating at top power for all waveforms.

“This contract performance clearly establishes the maturity and readiness of the Northrop Grumman AMDR design to begin the engineering and manufacturing development phase,” said Pat Antkowiak, Vice President and General Manager of Northrop Grumman's Advanced Concepts and Technologies division.

“This is the latest evidence that Northrop Grumman can deliver affordable, S-band AESA systems that meet customer requirements and extend their buying power,” he added.

Northrop Grumman was awarded the $120 million AMDR technology demonstration contract in September 2010. The company successfully completed near field range testing earlier this year, which included validating the AMDR's digital beam forming performance and digital tune techniques.

“Featuring revolutionary architecture that is fully open and modular, the Northrop Grumman AMDR solution will continue to evolve as technology advances and the mission requirements change. The Northrop Grumman AMDR offering also benefits from a broad history of investment and innovation across the company's extensive portfolio of AESA radar systems and capabilities,” Antkowiak added.

Currently, the company's AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) S-band AESA radar system being developed for the U.S. Marine Corps is undergoing development and testing at Wallops Island, Va. Northrop Grumman also designed and produced the world's largest S-band AESA, which is currently performing well during sea trials with the U.S. Navy.