Northrop Grumman Withdraws from UK’s Military Satellite Project Tender

By Salman Khan,
Published by bnn, 18 November 2023

In an unexpected development, major American aerospace and defense technology company, Northrop Grumman, has opted to withdraw from a critical tender for a narrowband military satellite project in the United Kingdom. The decision, which leaves other defense contractors in the race, may influence the timeline, cost, and design of the project.

Unexpected Exit from the Race

Northrop Grumman’s decision to pull out of the competition to supply narrowband military satellite communications for Britain’s armed forces has left a partnership between Thales Alenia Space and Thales UK as the only contender. Despite this setback, Northrop Grumman intends to bid on the wider component of the SKYNET military satellite communications program.

Implications of the Withdrawal

Northrop Grumman’s exit from the narrowband service tender leaves the competition thin, which could potentially impact the project’s implementation. With Thales Alenia Space and Thales UK as the only shortlisted bidder, the dynamics of the competition have notably shifted.

UK Ministry of Defence’s Stance

Despite this development, the UK Ministry of Defence remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing the UK’s military satellite capability through the SKYNET 6 program. The department is likely to continue with the tender process, seeking to secure a viable contractor to deliver the narrowband satellite communications system, which is fundamental for military operations.

See: Original Article

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