NEWS
Northrop Grumman Selects Wind River for Next Generation Unmanned Aerial Combat Systems
- Wind River Platform for Safety Critical selected as device software foundation for state-of-the-art systems in J-UCAS program
“By design, flight critical systems require reliable, secure software to ensure the success and safety of military operations,” said Rick Ludwig, J-UCAS Business Strategy and Development at Northrop Grumman. “The X-47B is designed to be a highly capable, fully-networked air warfare system, making software selection a critical component for the J-UCAS program. Wind River’s proven safe and secure technology combined with its expertise in safety critical application development, provides us with the foundation we need to develop and run this air warfare system that will support the full spectrum of military operations.”
The J-UCAS program is a joint Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy program established to demonstrate the technical feasibility, military utility and operational value of networked, unmanned, air-combat systems. Software plays a key role in the J-UCAS program, which has three objectives that include: demonstrating the technical feasibility of developing a Common Operating System that allows for a family of land- and carrier-based unmanned combat aerial vehicles; assessing the joint operational utility of the J-UCAS concept in the mission areas of suppressing enemy air defenses, strike, electronic attack and penetrating surveillance and reconnaissance; and, developing production system concepts for the Navy and Air Force.
“Northrop Grumman is renowned for the success of its unmanned combat air systems. Being selected as part of the J-UCAS program is an honor, illustrating Wind River’s commitment to the defense market as well as increasing demand for Platform for Safety Critical in new military applications,” said John Bruggeman, chief marketing officer for Wind River. “With Wind River, Northrop Grumman has the long-term support and guaranteed technology enhancements that will further system innovation in the growing market for unmanned systems.”
Wind River Platform for Safety Critical is a comprehensive suite of software development tools and real time operating systems that enable aerospace and defense manufacturers to develop and run mission critical applications better, faster, reliably at a lower cost. The Platform also meets the high-reliability, security and certification requirements for flight safety standards established by the FAA.
About Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman Integrated Systems is a premier aerospace and defense systems integration organization. Headquartered in El Segundo, Calif., it designs, develops, produces and supports integrated systems and subsystems optimized for use on networks. For government and civil customers worldwide, NGIS delivers best-value solutions, products and services that support military and homeland defense missions in the areas of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; space access; battle management command and control; and integrated strike warfare.
About Wind River
Wind River is the global leader in device software optimization (DSO). The company enables its customers to develop and run device software better, faster, at a lower cost and more reliably. Wind River’s Workbench, General Purpose Platform and Market-Specific Platforms reduce effort, cost and risk, and optimize quality and reliability at all phases of the device software development process from concept to deployed product.
Founded in 1981, Wind River is headquartered in Alameda, California, with operations worldwide. To learn more, visit Wind River at http://www.windriver.com or call Wind River at 1-800-872-4977.
Wind River Systems and the Wind River Systems logo are trademarks of Wind River Systems, Inc., and VxWorks is a registered trademark of Wind River Systems, Inc. Thirdparty marks and brands are the property of their respective holders.
Contact Information
Jessica Miller
Global Corporate Communications
