LONDON, April 23, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has successfully completed a public safety network trial in the UK, aimed at demonstrating how mobile broadband wireless technology can help improve the responsiveness of the emergency services.
The trial, held in collaboration with NextWave Wireless and led by the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA), demonstrated how a mobile broadband network could increase security, help the police force respond faster to emergency services, and enable real-time transmission of time-sensitive crime scene forensics.
"This is a robust, secure, broadband mobile wireless communications solution that has the potential to significantly streamline and improve both emergency and normal daily public safety operations," said Tom Afferton, director of wireless engineering for Northrop Grumman's Information Technology sector. "The trial builds on our successful New York City wireless project and demonstrates the benefits of providing emergency services responders with real-time mobile access to critical information in the field."
The 2007 trial in Lewes, hosted by Sussex Police, used a mobile broadband network powered by TD-CDMA technology from NextWave Wireless. The Universal Mobile Telecommunications System standards-based mobile broadband wireless technology delivers the broadband mobility, high capacity, reliability, and scalability required to meet the real-time, fail-safe demands of a public safety network.
"Northrop Grumman's experience of building wireless networks and our systems integration expertise puts us in an excellent position to meet the needs for this important area of technology development," said Graham Thornton, managing director for Northrop Grumman in the UK. "We look forward to continuing to work with the NPIA in developing ways of improving the responsiveness of the emergency services."
Initiated through the NPIA's mobile information program, the trial allowed the Sussex Police to test the public safety solution jointly developed by Northrop Grumman and NextWave Wireless in an operational setting. The NPIA mobile information program encourages police forces and private sector companies to work together to provide solutions to policing challenges such as public order, neighborhood policing, and investigations where mobile data can be valuable.
During the trial, the Sussex police used the mobile broadband network successfully to transmit streaming video from fixed and body-worn cameras and moving vehicles, even at speeds greater than 80 mph to the command station at police headquarters. The trial also showed the value of high-speed mobile broadband in vehicle pursuits and in potential arrest scenarios. Using the mobile broadband network, Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) databases in police cars can be continuously updated in real time ensuring that those on the front line have the most accurate information at all times.
Sussex Police also created simulated crime scenes to demonstrate how the mobile broadband network could serve the police in managing multiple crime scene investigations remotely in real time using live video feeds and the rapid transmission of forensic evidence.
Northrop Grumman designed the overall solution and provided project management, system integration services and technical support for applications including CCTV cameras, shoulder-mounted video cameras, tablet PCs, an ANPR camera and database control room facilities.
NextWave Wireless supplied the TD-CDMA Node Bs base stations and related core equipment and provided installation, commissioning, and project management support services.
Northrop Grumman has more than 50 years of experience designing, integrating, and operating some of the world's most complex and secure communications systems. It provided the core systems integration for the Airwave Service, the secure digital radio network dedicated for the use of the UK's emergency and public safety services and with NextWave Wireless is delivering New York City's public safety wireless broadband network.
Northrop Grumman in the UK operates from primary locations at Chester, Coventry, Fareham, New Malden, Peterborough, RAF Waddington and Solihull, providing avionics, communications, electronic warfare systems, marine navigation systems, robotics, C4ISR solutions and mission planning, IT systems and software development.
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a global defense and technology company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in information and services, electronics, aerospace and shipbuilding to government and commercial customers worldwide.