Northrop Grumman, May 04, 2026 - ROLLING MEADOWS, IL – Northrop Grumman Corporation was awarded a U.S. Army contract for second phase development of its Improved Threat Detection System (ITDS).
The award follows the Army’s early decision to choose the company’s discriminating technology demonstrated in successful first phase ITDS flight tests against competing systems.
Northrop Grumman’s ITDS maximizes aircraft survivability with superior capability and operational speed that will provide a decisive future advantage for Army air crews to defeat ever-evolving threats.
The ITDS, features Northrop Grumman’s Advanced Tactical Hostile Engagement Awareness (ATHENA) sensor – providing pilots the freedom to maneuver across present and future battle spaces while equipped with a generational leap in threat detection capabilities:
- ATHENA is a next-generation, multi-spectral threat warning sensor. It delivers360-degree situational awareness to Army aviators and detects threats pilots can’t see – even looking through the aircraft floor.
- ATHENA's Advanced Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) detection capability utilizes high-resolution and wide-band sensors to quickly identify incoming UAS threats. It also detects loitering munitions, Electro-Optical/Infrared targeting systems, guided Man Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS), anti-tank guided missiles, small arms, medium- and large-caliber machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades and anti-tank guided munitions.
- ITDS is designed with open systems architecture, allowing for faster addition of new capabilities to outpace emerging threats and maintain air superiority in rapidly changing threat environments.
- ITDS is a Future Airborne Capability Environment and Modular Open Systems Approach compliant system, able to operate on current Army aircraft and Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft. The system is intended for the enduring and future Army rotary aircraft fleet, with priority given to the MV-75 Cheyenne II and AH-64 Apache.
Trevis Crane, Ph.D., survivability development programs director, Northrop Grumman, said “Through our strong partnership with the Army, we’ve developed a state-of-the-art aircraft survivability system that meets mission needs in the most challenging threat environments. ITDS and the advanced situational awareness capabilities of its ATHENA sensor are vital for ensuring successful missions and safe returns.”
A UH-60M Black Hawk Army Helicopter conducting U.S. Army Phase I flight tests of Northrop Grumman’s ITDS, featuring the ATHENA sensor.
Northrop Grumman’s ATHENA sensor meets today’s mission needs while providing the U.S. Army with connected, multi-service capabilities to identify future threats. As a form/fit replacement for legacy aircraft sensors, it seamlessly integrates into an aircraft with flare or laser-based countermeasure systems, such as the Common Infrared Countermeasure system (CIRCM).
About Northrop Grumman : Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC) is a leading global aerospace and defense technology company. Our pioneering solutions equip our customers with the capabilities they need to connect and protect the world and push the boundaries of human exploration across the universe. Driven by a shared purpose to solve our customers’ toughest problems, our employees define possible every day.
With nearly 100,000 employees and over 30 million square feet of manufacturing space – more than 500 football fields – Northrop Grumman has the capacity, scale, and agility to drive innovation at unprecedented speeds. The company’s manufacturing approach isn’t just about flawless production – it was developed to accelerate and enhance the entire process from design and development to production and testing. The company has invested in U.S. infrastructure, R&D, its workforce, and supply chain to deliver the national security needs of today and for tomorrow.
The award follows the Army’s early decision to choose the company’s discriminating technology demonstrated in successful first phase ITDS flight tests against competing systems.
Northrop Grumman’s ITDS maximizes aircraft survivability with superior capability and operational speed that will provide a decisive future advantage for Army air crews to defeat ever-evolving threats.
The ITDS, features Northrop Grumman’s Advanced Tactical Hostile Engagement Awareness (ATHENA) sensor – providing pilots the freedom to maneuver across present and future battle spaces while equipped with a generational leap in threat detection capabilities:
- ATHENA is a next-generation, multi-spectral threat warning sensor. It delivers360-degree situational awareness to Army aviators and detects threats pilots can’t see – even looking through the aircraft floor.
- ATHENA's Advanced Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) detection capability utilizes high-resolution and wide-band sensors to quickly identify incoming UAS threats. It also detects loitering munitions, Electro-Optical/Infrared targeting systems, guided Man Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS), anti-tank guided missiles, small arms, medium- and large-caliber machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades and anti-tank guided munitions.
- ITDS is designed with open systems architecture, allowing for faster addition of new capabilities to outpace emerging threats and maintain air superiority in rapidly changing threat environments.
- ITDS is a Future Airborne Capability Environment and Modular Open Systems Approach compliant system, able to operate on current Army aircraft and Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft. The system is intended for the enduring and future Army rotary aircraft fleet, with priority given to the MV-75 Cheyenne II and AH-64 Apache.
Trevis Crane, Ph.D., survivability development programs director, Northrop Grumman, said “Through our strong partnership with the Army, we’ve developed a state-of-the-art aircraft survivability system that meets mission needs in the most challenging threat environments. ITDS and the advanced situational awareness capabilities of its ATHENA sensor are vital for ensuring successful missions and safe returns.”
A UH-60M Black Hawk Army Helicopter conducting U.S. Army Phase I flight tests of Northrop Grumman’s ITDS, featuring the ATHENA sensor.
Northrop Grumman’s ATHENA sensor meets today’s mission needs while providing the U.S. Army with connected, multi-service capabilities to identify future threats. As a form/fit replacement for legacy aircraft sensors, it seamlessly integrates into an aircraft with flare or laser-based countermeasure systems, such as the Common Infrared Countermeasure system (CIRCM).
About Northrop Grumman : Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC) is a leading global aerospace and defense technology company. Our pioneering solutions equip our customers with the capabilities they need to connect and protect the world and push the boundaries of human exploration across the universe. Driven by a shared purpose to solve our customers’ toughest problems, our employees define possible every day.
With nearly 100,000 employees and over 30 million square feet of manufacturing space – more than 500 football fields – Northrop Grumman has the capacity, scale, and agility to drive innovation at unprecedented speeds. The company’s manufacturing approach isn’t just about flawless production – it was developed to accelerate and enhance the entire process from design and development to production and testing. The company has invested in U.S. infrastructure, R&D, its workforce, and supply chain to deliver the national security needs of today and for tomorrow.
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US Army Aviation Northrop Grumman ATHENA Selected for US Army Aircraft Survivability
