Curtiss-Wright announced on September 1 that it received a contract valued at approximately $14 million from Northrop Grumman. The agreement supports the second phase of development for the Improved Threat Detection System, a program intended to shield U.S. Army aviation platforms from air-defense weapons.
The system is designed to equip current and future aircraft, including the AH-64 Apache and the MV-75 Cheyenne, with advanced missile-warning capabilities. It functions by detecting, classifying, and identifying electro-optical and infrared threats before triggering defensive responses. The hardware will process high-bandwidth sensor data in real time and distribute warnings across the aircraft.
Curtiss-Wright’s integrated processor will work alongside Northrop Grumman’s Advanced Tactical Hostile Engagement Awareness sensor, known as ATHENA. This sensor is built to provide 360-degree situational awareness and detect various threats, including unmanned aerial systems, air-to-air missiles, anti-tank guided missiles, and rocket-propelled grenades. The combined systems aim to deliver timely missile warnings and move critical data quickly enough to support protective actions.
Brian Perry, senior vice president and general manager of Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions, stated that combining the company’s processing capability with the ATHENA sensor creates a strong threat detection capability. He noted that the processor is suited for latency-critical systems because it can rapidly handle large amounts of data in demanding environments.
The processor utilizes a modular open architecture aligned with specific military standards, housed in a conduction-cooled chassis for airborne use. It features high-speed optical connections and configurable interfaces to support both modern digital sensors and legacy systems. The design also includes artificial intelligence-enabled computing and real-time data sharing to allow for future updates to sensors and countermeasures.
