Northrop Grumman [NOC] said yesterday it has been recognized by the U.K. Ministry of Defence (MoD) for its role, through the Sentry Whole Life Support Program at Royal Air Force (RAF) Waddington, in supporting military operations in Libya and the implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolutions to protect civilians.
Northrop Grumman has been delivering the Whole Life Support Program (WLSP) for the Sentry E-3D Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) fleet based at RAF Waddington since 2005 and is currently under contract to do so until 2025.
In his letter to the company MoD Minister for Defence Equipment Support & Technology Peter Luff said: “Your combined effort, provided through the Sentry Whole Life Support Program in conjunction with the Sentry Project Team, fielded an initial deployed fleet of three aircraft complete with a supply chain solution consisting of Primary Equipment Packs and supporting sponsored reserves. The responsive supply chain solution for the Sentry fleet provided 24-hour support for the duration of the operation.”
Also, the team provided supplementary maintenance at RAF Waddington to accommodate the two-fold increase in fleet flying hours during the operation.
Sir Nigel Essenhigh, chairman of Northrop Grumman U.K., said: “The E-3D Sentry Whole Life Support Program is one of Northrop Grumman’s largest single programs in the U.K. and Waddington plays a significant part in our U.K. business operations. This is a fitting acknowledgement of the personal commitment of all concerned in delivering this strategically important U.K. military capability.”
Northrop Grumman is the design organization for the E-3D Sentry fleet providing long-term U.K.-based technical support to the program through the Joint Sentry Support Team of nearly 200 personnel at RAF Waddington. Working with the Sentry Project Team, the Northrop Grumman team provides the complete range of through-life services, including capability sustainment modernization needed to support the Sentry E-3D AWACS aircraft through to its 2025 out-of-service date. Northrop Grumman also provides the radar and in-service support for the radar.
The Northrop Grumman Joint Sentry Support Team includes BAE Systems, Cobham and AAR.
“The work we do in supporting the Sentry E-3D fleet is extremely important to us,” said Mark Cannon, program manager, Northrop Grumman Technical Services. “We are proud of our long partnership with RAF Waddington, the Royal Air Force’s home of airborne surveillance and reconnaissance, and of the contribution we make to front-line operations.”