Northrop Grumman has delivered four prototype enhanced engagement operations centre shelters to the US Army for the Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) Battle Command System (IBCS).
The shelters have been improved following feedback from the Training and Doctrine Command capability manager and soldiers of the 43rd Air Defense Artillery Regiment, in order to shorten time to engagement, increase transportability and improve protection for soldiers.
The IBCS is a command-and-control (C2) system developed to deliver a single, integrated view of the battlespace. It has a modular open systems architecture and replaces seven legacy C2 systems. By networking sensors and interceptors the IBCS provides wider area surveillance and broader protection areas.
The shelters have been integrated with an active system to protect soldiers from chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives (CBRNE) hazards, and they are compatible with any army load-handling-system vehicle for improved transportation options. Two people can set up the new shelter, allowing for faster deployment.
Dan Verwiel, vice president and general manager, integrated air and missile defense division, Northrop Grumman Information Systems, said: ‘These new shelters will offer significantly more speed and flexibility to conduct IBCS operations, and better protection of our soldiers. Our ability to deliver the first of these prototypes just 11 months after contract award benefited from our integration and production expertise and continued close collaboration with the army.’
