Northrop Grumman has been awarded a $14.1 million option to complete development of the Joint Counter Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device (RCIED) Electronic Warfare (JCREW) Increment 1, Block 1 (I1B1) System of Systems. JCREW is a next-generation system to protect warfighters, vehicles, watercraft, and permanent structures from RCIEDs.

The award from the U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) funds Northrop Grumman to finalize the system through the development and demonstration phase in preparation for Milestone C.

"Northrop Grumman is pleased the government selected our JCREW I1B1 next-generation CREW system," said Mike Twyman, sector vice president and general manager of the Defense Systems division for Northrop Grumman Information Systems.

"Our investment in innovation for affordability has produced a platform that defeats current and future threats for all services. Our open software-defined architecture supports immediate needs and ensures rapid and low-cost system evolution."

NAVSEA previously awarded Northrop Grumman a JCREW 3.3 development contract with options in October 2009. JCREW 3.3 is now referred to as JCREW I1B1.

The majority of the development work will be performed in San Diego.