Northrop Grumman, Boeing Plan New Crew Exploration
Vehicle
Northrop Grumman and Boeing have
signed a memorandum of agreement that outlines the structure of a
team that will compete for NASA's Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV)
and other elements of Project Constellation, a planned architecture
of human and robotic space systems that will allow astronauts to
travel to and explore the moon, Mars and beyond. The two companies
expect to finalize the teaming agreement in the near future.
CEV, the first of several space systems envisioned within
Project Constellation, will serve as the architecture's central
human space transportation system. A competition to begin
development of the CEV is expected to begin in 2005.
"A Northrop Grumman - Boeing team will bring together two proven
leaders in the development, production and successful deployment of
reliable, advanced technology space systems," said Gary Ervin,
sector vice president for Northrop Grumman's Integrated Systems
sector. "Northrop Grumman's systems integration skills, technology
innovation and track-record of superior space systems performance,
coupled with Boeing's extensive experience in human space flight
offers NASA a team that can develop and deliver an innovative,
highly affordable CEV to serve the nation's space exploration needs
safely and reliably well into the future."
Under the agreement, Northrop Grumman will serve as the team's
leader and prime contractor during the initial development phase of
the CEV, known as Spiral 1. During this period, which will
demonstrate the CEV's ability to operate safely with astronauts in
low Earth orbit, Boeing will serve as Northrop Grumman's principal
teammate and major subcontractor.
In subsequent Spirals of Project Constellation, NASA's focus
will expand from operating the CEV in low Earth orbit to
transporting astronauts to the Moon and beyond. In Spiral 2, the
prime contractor leadership role will shift to Boeing for new human
lunar CEV transportation system elements, with Northrop Grumman
serving as Boeing's principal teammate and major subcontractor.
Northrop Grumman and Boeing will also determine the
prime/subcontractor relationship for subsequent elements of Spiral
2 and 3 as NASA further defines Project Constellation.
"This alliance recognizes that the nation's Vision for Space
Exploration and the CEV system development will require as much
innovation in program and business management solutions as it
requires in technology maturation and engineering," said Chuck
Allen, Boeing vice president, Space Exploration Systems.
"Collectively, Boeing and Northrop Grumman offer NASA more than 90
years of combined experience in development and operation of
complex, integrated manned and unmanned aeronautic and space flight
systems and platforms, including in every major US human space
flight program ranging since inception through ISS."
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems
is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses.
Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a
$27 billion business. It provides network-centric system solutions
to its global military, government, and commercial customers. It is
a leading provider of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance
systems; the world's largest military aircraft manufacturer; the
world's largest satellite manufacturer and a leading provider of
space-based communications; the primary systems integrator for US
missile defense and Department of Homeland Security; NASA's largest
contractor; and a global leader in launch services.
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a global defense company
headquartered in Los Angeles (CA). It provides technologically
advanced, innovative products, services and solutions in systems
integration, defense electronics, information technology, advanced
aircraft, shipbuilding and space technology. With 125,000
employees, and operations in all 50 states and 25 countries, the
company serves US and international military, government and
commercial customers. Today, more than 20,000 of Northrop Grumman's
employees are devoted to space-related projects
ANN's Daily Aero-Term (04.14.24): Maximum Authorized Altitude
See All