Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has received multiple contracts totaling $252 million from Lockheed Martin since Jan. 1, 2008 for the communications, navigation and identification (CNI) subsystem of the U.S. Air Force's F-22 Raptor fighter program. The awards include F-22 Production Lots 7, 8, 9 and spares, and modernization efforts for the CNI systems.

Northrop Grumman's integrated CNI system provides 14 critical functions, including advanced multichannel/multiband voice and data links, flight navigation and friend-or-foe identification to F-22 pilots. By utilizing software-defined radios, Northrop Grumman's revolutionary design enables simultaneous support of multiple capabilities for the advanced fighter while greatly reducing pilot workload and minimizing size, weight and power requirements for the CNI functions.

Northrop Grumman's CNI system is supported by approximately 70 suppliers in 22 states. F-22 CNI production, integration and test and modernization activities take place at Northrop Grumman facilities in San Diego.

The Raptor's combination of stealth, integrated avionics, maneuverability and supercruise (flight 1.5 times the speed of sound without afterburner) gives the F-22 "first-look, first-shot, first-kill" capability against any potential enemy aircraft and anti-access surface-to-air threats. Raptors are currently assigned to five U.S. bases. Flight testing takes place at the Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards AFB, Calif. Operational tactics development and Weapons School training is ongoing at Nellis AFB, Nev. Pilot and crew chief training takes place at Tyndall AFB, Fla. Operational Raptors are assigned to the 1st Fighter Wing at Langley AFB, Va. (27th and 94th Fighter Squadrons) and now the 3rd Wing at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska. Raptors will also be based at Holloman AFB, N.M., and Hickam AFB, Hawaii.