After years of expansion and delays, the U.S. Army has given the go-ahead for full-rate manufacturing of Northrop Grumman’s Integrated Battle Command System, which will link sensors and shooters on the battlefield and improve air defense.
The U.S. Army has given approval for full-rate production of the Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS), developed by Northrop Grumman, following years of delays due to technical issues and the expansion of the system’s mission beyond air and missile defense. The IBCS was originally created to serve as the command-and-control center for the Army’s future air and missile defense system, but it was later expanded to connect other sensors and shooters on the battlefield. The system will provide enhanced sensor and effector integration to ensure the best-equipped air defense against enemy threats. Poland is set to become the first operational user of IBCS this summer, and other NATO allies are watching the program’s evolution. Northrop has also submitted IBCS in an Australian competition for a joint battle management system, while Japan and the U.K. are each seeking international options for an air defense battle command capability.
