Northrop Shows Electronic Attack Capability on a Group III UAS for the First Time  

Photo Courtesy of Northrop Grumman

By Ashley Addington



Today, Northrop Grumman announced it has integrated and used an internal miniature electronic attack payload on its Bat unmanned aircraft, making it the first system for the system to be used by the Group III (small and tactical) UAS family.  



The demonstration occurred at the Naval Air Weapons Station in China Lake, Calif. The Pandora electronic attack payload is part of the digital APR-39 family of systems. The integration of the product onto the Bat took two months.  



"Bat continues to demonstrate capabilities that can normally only be achieved by larger, more expensive unmanned aircraft," said George Vardoulakis, Northrop Grumman's vice president of Medium Range Tactical Systems, in a press release. "Our customers now have a more mobile and affordable option for electronic warfare missions." 



During the demonstration, Bat completed a variety of flights including tests with a fixed wing and other unmanned platforms.