DARPA Awards Northrop Contract for Tern Demonstration Program

摘要

In early January, DARPA and the Office of Naval Research awarded Northrop Grumman a phase-three contract for the Tern unmanned systems program, which includes the final design, fabrication and at-sea demonstration of an autonomous intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and strike system that can be launched and recovered from small-deck naval vessels. Tern will expand current mission capabilities in the maritime environment, according to a Northrop press release. The unmanned aircraft will not need land bases or aircraft carriers to launch, instead using ships with minimal modifications.