Northrop’s Battle Command System Intercepts Ballistic Missile In Inaugural Flight Test

Northrop Grumman announced Thursday that its Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System (ICBS) was successful in destroying a ballistic missile in its first flight test.

The inaugural test, by Northrop Grumman and the US army, was conducted using the IAMD BCS, a Patriot system radar and two adapted Patriot launchers connected at the component level to the IBCS integrated fire control network.

Using measurement data from the Patriot radar, the IBCS track manager established a composite track on the ballistic missile. The IBCS mission control software assessed the track as a threat and presented an engagement solution. The engagement operations center operator then commanded, by the IBCS mission control software, launches of two Patriot PAC-2 interceptor missiles to destroy the target.

IBCS replaces previous legacy command-and-control systems to provide a single integrated air picture, reduce single points of failure and also to offer flexibility for deploying smaller force payloads.

"The enormous complexity of the air battle we face today and tomorrow demands we give commanders much greater flexibility to organize sensors and shooters," US Army Air Defense Artillery Chief Brigadier General Christopher Spillman said.