Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) was awarded a follow-on production contract as part of a larger contract, which is now valued at over $161 million, by the U.S. Navy for the next generation JCREW/DRAKE 2.0 systems. The award includes production and delivery of the JCREW/DRAKE 2.0 dismounted and mounted systems. JCREW/DRAKE 2.0 provides 360 degrees of protection to the warfighter afloat, ashore and on-the-move by using intelligent jamming to selectively defeat threats without interruption to friendly communications. As the recommended counter-improvised explosive device (IED) and counter-unmanned aircraft system (UAS) solution, JCREW/DRAKE 2.0 will feature increased signal processing and frequency range, instantaneous bandwidth and a more capable user interface.
Gordie Russell, vice president, communications solutions, Northrop Grumman: “JCREW/DRAKE continues to prove itself as a critical component in protecting our warfighters while maintaining the strategic advantage needed to succeed across the modern battlefield. These systems are designed with an open and integrated architecture to support rapid upgrades and mission agility from ship-to-shore – capabilities that are critical for quick decision making.”
The system can operate independently or can integrate with other Command and Control systems such as Northrop Grumman’s FAAD system, delivering a layered defense and technological advantage for the warfighter. JCREW, the system’s counter-IED capability, is a TRL 9 system with Full Rate Production and is a Program of Record with Naval Sea Systems Command. It achieved Full Operational Capability ahead of schedule in July 2023 and is currently employed by the U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, Australia and New Zealand. DRAKE, the system’s counter-UAS capability, was added to the Army’s Joint Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-sUAS) Office list of recommended C-sUAS Detection and Defeat Systems in May 2023 and recently became its own Navy Program of Record under Program Executive Office Unmanned and Small Combatants, Expeditionary Missions Program Office in April 2024.
Northrop Grumman Corporation is an American multinational aerospace and defense company. With 95,000 employees[3] and an annual revenue in excess of $30 billion, it is one of the world’s largest weapons manufacturers and military technology providers. Northrop Grumman pioneering solutions equip customers with the capabilities they need to connect and protect the world, and push the boundaries of human exploration across the universe. It was the sole bidder on the Air Force’s Ground Based Strategic Deterrent program, which aims to develop and build a new intercontinental ballistic missile. Northrop Grumman organized its business around four main sectors, each of which comprises two or more business areas: Aeronautics Systems, Defense Systems, Mission Systems and Space Systems.