Northrop Grumman Advances Improved Threat Detection System for US Army

ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill. – May 4, 2026 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) was awarded a U.S. Army contract for the second phase development of its Improved Threat Detection System (ITDS). This contract follows the Army’s early decision to select the company’s discriminating technology demonstrated in successful first phase ITDS flight tests against competing systems.

Northrop Grumman’s ITDS maximizes aircraft survivability with superior capability and operational speed that will provide a decisive future advantage for Army aircrews to defeat ever-evolving threats.

The ITDS features Northrop Grumman’s Advanced Tactical Hostile Engagement Awareness (ATHENA) sensor, which delivers a generational leap in threat detection capabilities:

• ATHENA is a next-generation, multi-spectral threat warning sensor that provides 360-degree situational awareness to Army aviators and detects threats that pilots cannot see, including threats under the aircraft.
• ATHENA’s Advanced Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) detection capability utilizes high-resolution and wide-band sensors to quickly identify incoming UAS threats and loitering munitions, as well as various munitions like Electro-Optical/Infrared targeting systems, guided Man Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS), anti-tank guided missiles, and small arms.
• ITDS is designed with open systems architecture, allowing for faster addition of new capabilities to outpace emerging threats and maintain air superiority in rapidly changing environmental conditions.
• ITDS is compliant with the Future Airborne Capability Environment and Modular Open Systems Approach, enabling operation on current Army aircraft and future Long-Range Assault Aircraft, with priority given to the MV-75 Cheyenne II and AH-64 Apache.

Experts:

Trevis Crane, Ph.D., survivability development programs director at Northrop Grumman, stated, “Through our strong partnership with the Army, we’ve developed a state-of-the-art aircraft survivability system that meets mission needs in the most challenging threat environments. ITDS and the advanced situational awareness capabilities of its ATHENA sensor are vital for ensuring successful missions and safe returns.”

This effort is sponsored by the U.S. Government under Other Transaction number W15QKN-17-9-5555 between the Consortium Management Group, Inc., and the Government. The U.S. Government is authorized to reproduce and distribute reprints for governmental purposes notwithstanding any copyright notation thereon.

Northrop Grumman is a leading global aerospace and defense technology company. Our pioneering solutions equip our customers with the capabilities they need to connect and protect the world and push the boundaries of human exploration across the universe. Driven by a shared purpose to solve our customers’ toughest problems, our employees define possible every day.

With nearly 100,000 employees and over 30 million square feet of manufacturing space – more than 500 football fields – Northrop Grumman has the capacity, scale, and agility to drive innovation at unprecedented speeds. The company’s manufacturing approach isn’t just about flawless production – it was developed to accelerate and enhance the entire process from design and development to production and testing. The company has invested in U.S. infrastructure, R&D, its workforce, and supply chain to meet the national security needs of today and for tomorrow.

Source: Northrop Grumman (2026-05-04T14:56:00Z)