Northrop Grumman Corporation's Integrated Systems sector has signed a technical assistance agreement with IZAR of Spain, Europe's second largest shipbuilder, to promote the U.S. Navy's Fire Scout vertical unmanned system for integration on the country's F-100 frigate.
The Spanish Navy established a requirement for a precision weapon targeting system for new and existing frigates produced or upgraded by IZAR. As defined in this requirement, Fire Scout would provide target designation for precision-guided weapons during land attack missions.
"We are extremely pleased to begin what we believe will be a successful collaboration with IZAR to support Spain and its venerable Navy," said Paul K. Meyer, vice president, Business and Strategy Development, for Northrop Grumman Integrated Systems' Air Combat Systems business area. "The cooperation of our companies will result in the best precision targeting solution for the F-100 frigate program."
IZAR is working on two new-generation frigate programs, the F-100 for the Spanish Navy and the F-310 for the
Norwegian Navy. It also has system division responsibility for integration of the AEGIS combat system with national sensors and weapons through the combat direction system, where the Fire Scout could be integrated.
The Fire Scout system is in development and low-rate initial production by Northrop Grumman's Integrated Systems sector as a force multiplier for Navy forces at sea and Marine Corps forces ashore.
Flying autonomously at altitudes up to 20,000 ft., Fire Scout employs an advanced payload with an electro-optical/
infrared sensor including a laser designator/rangefinder to provide intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance with pinpoint accuracy, giving military decision-makers real-time information and targeting of enemy resources and personnel on the ground.