Air Force Taps Northrop Grumman for Message System

By Roseanne Gerin, Contributing Staff Writer

The Air Force Research Laboratory has awarded a $49.9 million contract to Northrop Grumman Corp. to provide systems engineering to users of technologies for secure messaging systems.

Under the contract, the company will operate and maintain the processor applications and extensions for communications support at various government sites, the Defense Department said.

Northrop Grumman also will develop techniques to implement secure messaging technologies. The company will deliver software, hardware and functional and technical documentation. Messaging systems allow computer users to communicate with each other. They can involve e-mail, instant messages, or other proprietary systems.

Northrop Grumman will perform the work at its defense mission systems facility in Bellevue, Neb. The company expects to complete the project by October 2011.

The Air Force Research Laboratory develops and integrates warfighting technologies for the country’s air and space forces. It conducts basic research, applied research and advanced technology development.

Roseanne Gerin is a staff writer for Government Computer News’ sister publication, Washington Technology.

Reported By GCN Daily Updates, http://www.gcn.com

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