The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) has contracted Northrop Grumman to provide an integrated cloud and sensor solution to provide faster intelligence for warfighters.
The Neptune Phoenix program will leverage model-based systems engineering to evolve DIA’s collection, processing, and analytics tools, consolidating the agency’s technical capabilities.
It includes utilizing digital engineering to generate operational efficiencies and affordability.
‘Transforming Digital Ecosystem’
The $700-million, nine-year contract includes “lifecycle management, engineering, design, development, purchasing, prototyping, test and evaluation, deployment, and data analysis for current and future radio frequency and electro optical sensor systems,” Northrop explained in a press release.
Northrop Vice President of Cyber and Information Solutions Jennifer Walsmith added: “We’re transforming the digital ecosystem for the intelligence community to streamline inputs and provide actionable information at the speed needed to outpace evolving threats.”
Previous Award
Additionally, Northrop was contracted for the DIA’s Transforming All-Source Analysis with Location-Based Object Services program in 2020.
The $690-million program seeks to accelerate the delivery of actionable intelligence and enhance decision superiority.
Machine-Assisted Database
It focuses on building new big data systems for DIA to include the Machine-Assisted Rapid-Repository System (MARS).
The MARS will replace the DIA’s 1980s-era database, the Military Intelligence Integrated Database, which has been the agency’s primary source of foundational military intelligence.
It will achieve initial operational capability in the spring of 2024 and full operational capability in 2025.
“Transforming current databases housing foundational military intelligence into multi-dimensional, flexible and rigorous data environments, MARS will create a military intelligence environment that will be accessed for up-to-date information by the Intelligence Community and warfighters,” the company explained.
