Northrop Grumman Corporation (NGC) introduced its Citadel Enterprise Battle Command System at the International Defense Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) 2015, which took place in Abu Dhabi, UAE on 22-26 February.
Northrop Grumman's Citadel Enterprise Battle Command System is a rapidly deployable and mobile command and control (C2) system that presents a ground-breaking approach to allied integrated air and missile defence. Citadel solves the complex challenge of integrating air and missile defense systems: how to leverage all available sensors and weapon systems to provide warfighters a single understandable air picture.

“Just as citadels were well planned and positioned for presenting the best vantage points, our Citadel system offers an unprecedented, integrated view for air and missile defense so quicker decisions can be made with higher confidence,” said Walid Abukhaled, Chief Executive, Northrop Grumman Saudi Arabia.

Citadel can replace older, closed/proprietary air defense C2 systems that are difficult and costly to integrate, upgrade and modernize. Through optimal networking of weapon systems and sensors, the system delivers a single integrated air picture to provide warfighters the ability to make better, timelier decisions for accurate engagements and to reduce fratricide. Citadel uses the most recent and rigorous military standards to implement cybersecurity for mitigating the latest cyber threats. By decreasing single points of failure and providing wider area surveillance and broader protection, Citadel enables commanders to more effectively deploy scarce air and missile defense resources.

“The Citadel Enterprise Battle Command System is fortified with cybersecurity and designed for today's net-centric battlespace. It is also designed for enduring protection with total system life cycle affordability and the ability to upgrade for adapting to evolving threats,” said Dan Verwiel, Vice President and General Manager, Air and Missile Defense Systems Division, Northrop Grumman Information Systems.

Citadel's distributed fire control network easily incorporates current and future sensors and weapon systems for the greatest flexibility to contend with the evolving threat and budget environment. In addition, the use of the Modular Open Systems Approach and extensive commercial off-the-shelf components lower total life cycle maintenance costs.

Northrop Grumman built upon its leadership position pioneering open systems integration, joint command and control and missile defense to develop the Citadel Enterprise Battle Command System. The Citadel system is designed to ensure secure interoperability with U.S. and coalition forces to optimize the air and missile defense protection that saves lives.