Northrop Grumman wins $60.4 million Air Force sensor contract
The sole-source award funds an enhanced Optical Detection and Identification Node for the Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures system, with work in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, due by April 2029.
ROLLING MEADOWS, ILLINOIS — Northrop Grumman Systems Corp.has won a $60.4 million Air Force contract to develop an enhanced aircraft-defense sensor, awarded July 8, 2026.
Here is the full contract announcement (see war.gov): “Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Rolling Meadows, Illinois, has been awarded a $60.4 million cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) Optical Detection and Identification Node. This contract provides for development of an enhanced sensor as part of the LAIRCM system. Work will be performed in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, and is expected to be completed by April 30, 2029. This contract was a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2026 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $11.2 million are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8638-26-F-B001). (Awarded July 8, 2026)”
The cost-plus-fixed-fee agreement funds development of an enhanced sensor within the Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures system, a defensive suite that protects large aircraft from infrared-guided missiles (see war.gov). The award covers the Optical Detection and Identification Node and drew fiscal 2026 research, development, test and evaluation funds of $11.2 million at the time of award. The Air Force issued the work as a sole-source acquisition, meaning no competing bids were solicited.
Work will be performed in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, and is expected to be completed by April 30, 2029. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, serves as the contracting activity.
The award marks the fifth contract to Northrop Grumman Systems Corp.in 2026, bringing the company’s total contract value for the year to $254.1 million. It is the first Department of Defense contract awarded in Illinois during 2026. The company’s largest contract on record stands at $1.5 billion, so this deal does not top that figure.
Within the Air Force portfolio, the $60.4 million award ranks as both the largest and the smallest Air Force contract issued in 2026. It was the only Department of Defense contract announced nationwide on July 8, 2026.
This contract represents the 5th contract awarded to Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., in 2026, bringing the company’s total contract value for the year to $254,131,223. It is also the 1st Department of Defense contract awarded in Illinois during 2026. While this is not the largest contract ever awarded to Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., whose record stands at $1,481,666,667, it is notable within the Air Force portfolio. Specifically, it is both the largest and smallest Air Force contract awarded in 2026, at $60,438,241. Overall, this award was announced among 1 Department of Defense contract issued nationwide on July 8, 2026.
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