$713 Million Award for IBCS to Provide Leap-ahead Capabilities
Northrop Grumman announced on 14 March that the US Army has awarded it a $713 million contract for the production of Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) Battle Command System (IBCS) for the first phase of Poland’s WISŁA air and missile defence programme.
“Poland is taking a leadership role in today’s complex threat environment by selecting IBCS over legacy stove-piped systems that were designed decades ago for a much different threat profile. IBCS is the future of multidomain operations and with it, Poland will have a state-of-the-art system to modernize its integrated air and missile defence capabilities,” observed Vice President and General Manager, Missile Defense and Protective Systems for Northrop Grumman, Dan Verwiel. “Through the acquisition of IBCS, Poland will be in line with the US Army’s future direction. Poland will have the flexibility to consider any radar and any interceptor, optimise sensor and effector integration and keep pace with an evolving threat.”
Under this foreign military sales (FMS) contract for WISŁA, Northrop Grumman will manufacture IBCS engagement operations centres and integrated fire control network relays, delivering IBCS net-enabled command and control (C2) for four firing units. The operations centres will be integrated with IBCS battle management software that maximises the combat potential of sensors and weapon systems. The centres and network relays will be mounted on Polish JELCZ vehicles.
IBCS is the air and missile defence C2 solution of choice for Poland, the country having signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance with the US government in March 2018, thus becoming the first partner country to acquire this advanced capability. By implementing IBCS, Poland will transform its IAMD capabilities in a manner consistent with the US Army.
The system creates a paradigm shift for IAMD by replacing legacy systems with a next-generation, net-centric approach to better address evolving complex threats. It integrates disparate radars and weapons to construct a far more effective IAMD enterprise. IBCS delivers a single integrated air picture with unprecedented accuracy and broadens surveillance and protection areas. With its open systems architecture, IBCS allows incorporation of current and future sensors and weapon systems and interoperability with joint C2 and the ballistic missile defence system. IBCS is managed by the US Army Program Executive Office for Missiles and Space, Redstone Arsenal, AL.
“Northrop Grumman continues to work closely with the Polish Ministry of National Defence and Polish industry toward a comprehensive offset programme that meets the programme goals and requirements. We look forward to continued collaboration and partnership with PGZ and its consortium of companies on this and future phases of the WISŁA programme,” commented the company’s Vice President, Business Development, Missile Defense and Protective Systems, Tarik Reyes. “We are pleased with the opportunity to deliver cutting-edge, net-centric IBCS technology to Poland and support the Ministry of National Defence’s modernisation priorities.”
