US-based aerospace and defence technology firm Northrop Grumman has made a minority investment in radar platform company Echodyne.
The details of the transaction were not divulged.
The two companies also entered into a new strategic agreement to use Echodyne’s commercial radar technology in Northrop Grumman counter-uncrewed aerial vehicle (C-UAS) solutions.
The new collaboration builds on an existing partnership that began in early 2020, when Echodyne’s radar was integrated onto Northrop Grumman’s lightweight strike vehicle, Bushmaster Gun Truck.
According to Echodyne, the solution had proved its performance against small drones in multiple live-fire demonstrations.
Under the new agreement, Northrop Grumman plans to use the technology in advanced platforms and solutions.
Northrop Grumman strategy vice-president David Jacobs said: “We continue to embrace disruptive technologies that enhance our solutions, and are easily integrated into our open architecture approaches.
“This strategic partnership enhances our ability to meet the mission needs of our customers with speed and agility, specifically in the area of C-UAS.”
Echodyne CEO Eben Frankenberg said: “The collaboration with Northrop Grumman is another significant milestone for Echodyne, which underlines the clear message that our radars excel in the most challenging applications and demanding environments.
“Northrop Grumman’s investment and selection of our radars for counter-UAS solutions further validates the advantages of our proprietary technology, and our best-in-class radars.”
Last month, Northrop Grumman announced that it had conducted another precision strike missile (PrSM) rocket motor static test at its facility. The PrSM is a Lockheed Martin-developed, next-generation, precision-strike, surface-to-surface weapon system.
