Northrop Grumman Taps Johnson as VP for BAMS

Northrop Grumman Corporation appointed Carl Johnson to vice president of Programs-Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) within the company's Integrated Systems sector. Northrop Grumman's BAMS solution incorporates maritime intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities into the Global Hawk Block 20 air vehicle. The system can carry up to 3,000 pounds of payload comprising a variety of sensors optimized for searching, tracking and identifying targets, while collecting and transmitting data over open ocean and littoral areas. Northrop Grumman's offer includes an RQ-4N air vehicle derived from the RQ-4B Global Hawk, uniquely configured for the Navy and the maritime ISR domain. A contract is expected to be awarded later this year.

In support of one of the company's strategic pursuits, Johnson will oversee all BAMS development and capture activities. His appointment solidifies the company's strategic effort to build a team that can effectively define and complement the U.S. Navy's existing manned maritime patrol and reconnaissance force capability with a combat-proven, persistent, unmanned ISR aircraft. The Northrop Grumman RQ-4N BAMS team includes Northrop Grumman as prime contractor and team leader, unmanned aerial vehicle supplier and developer of the Multi-Function Active Sensor active electronically scanned array radar and the Night Hunter II electro-optical infrared sensor; L-3 Communications providing communications integration; Raytheon supporting the Mission Control System segment; and Rolls-Royce providing the aircraft engine. Johnson joined the company in 1982 as an engineer with the B-2 stealth bomber program and subsequently served as manager of the B-2 modification line and deputy B-2 program manager. In 2000, he was appointed Global Hawk program manager and in 2003 he was named vice president and Global Hawk integrated product team leader.