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Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. in San Diego, CA received a $6.6 million fixed-price-incentive-firm contract modification for engineering changes to prepare one RQ-4 Global Hawk Air Vehicle to receive Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program (MP-RTIP) capabilities. It also covers preliminary modifications to a second Air Vehicle in preparation for MP-RTIP insertion, and includes an option for aircraft ballast. At this time, $3.3 million have been obligated. Solicitations began October 2005, negotiations were complete November 2006, andwork will be complete by February 2009. The Headquarters Aeronautical Systems Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH issued the contract (FA8620-05-C-4692/P00009).
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The MP-RTIP radar is an important part of the USA’s future surveillance capabilities. This AESA radar is slated to equip future Block 40 Global Hawks, and will also feature in NATO’s AGS battlefield surveillance program and future E-8 J-STARS upgrades or successors. DID recently covered MP-RTIP testing on Rutan’s unusual-looking Proteus.