A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between Airbus and Northrop Grumman Corporation (NGC) to develop and foster a strategic partnership in military satellite communications for the UK’s future wideband SKYNET military satellite communications program.
“This transatlantic collaboration builds on the strong Airbus and Northrop Grumman relationship."
Ben Bridge, Airbus
The agreement between the two leading European and US-based defense and space firms will bring together the latest technology and will see the two companies' experience, knowledge, and capability mutually shared to address military satellite communication requirements for the British Ministry of Defense.
Airbus and Northrop Grumman say the partnership is vitally important as military forces increasingly use space-based assets to fulfill their missions and require specialized technology to transmit information via space. The two companies will be teaming up to offer customers the very latest military satellite communication technologies for users and ensure they are always connected and able to process the increasing amount of data collected and disseminated on the ground, in the air, at sea and in orbit.
“Partnering with Northrop Grumman will enable us to address the evolving requirements of Britain's military satellite communications' needs, and we believe our joint expertise offers the very best capabilities for the UK, now and in the future," said Ben Bridge, UK Chairman of Airbus Defense and Space. “This transatlantic collaboration builds on the strong Airbus and Northrop Grumman relationship and further unites UK, European and American interests in space.”
“This partnership with Airbus brings together the very best of the US, UK and European space industries," said Troy Brashear, vice president, National Security Systems, Northrop Grumman Space Systems. "The team will provide our customers with innovative, reliable and affordable military satellite communications technology to meet the rapidly evolving requirements of today’s environment.”