Northrop Grumman office at Illinois. Credit: Mysterymanblue / Wikimedia Commons / Public domain.

Northrop Grumman and Leonardo have agreed to join forces to pursue opportunities in the vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) domain together.

The strategic partnership builds on an existing collaboration between the two companies that dates to 1995 when they jointly developed the AN/AAQ-24(V) Nemesis Directional Infrared Counter Measures (DIRCM) for the US and the UK.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

Currently, Leonardo and Northrop Grumman are working on the US Army’s Common Infrared Countermeasures (CIRCM) programme.

As agreed, the two companies now plan to partner on air vehicle design, system architectures, payload optimisation and integration within next-generation battlespace architectures.

The collaboration will leverage Leonardo’s expertise in rotorcraft designs and Northrop Grumman’s capabilities in advanced aeronautics and autonomous uncrewed aerial systems.

Northrop Grumman UK, Europe, Middle East CEO Nick Chaffey said: “Northrop Grumman has decades of experience and unmatched expertise in developing and delivering uncrewed and autonomous aerial systems, including the RQ-4 Global Hawk, MQ-8C Fire Scout, Firebird, a UAS that has the capability to be flown manned, and the pioneering X-47B aircraft.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

“There are many possibilities that our collaboration with Leonardo will deliver for customers worldwide as they look to solve new challenges in a complex, unpredictable threat environment.”

Leonardo Helicopters managing director Gian Piero Cutillo said: “This collaboration comes at a time when we see emerging military and civil requirements worldwide in the uncrewed domain.

“This partnership will enable a strong and concerted approach to existing, as well as next-generation VTOL UAS technologies from two leading global aerospace engineering companies.”

Last month, Northrop Grumman opened a new facility in Colorado Springs, US. The facility includes advanced engineering, research labs and software development factories.