Northrop Grumman and MBDA have launched a new partnership aimed at strengthening Germany’s integrated air and missile defense architecture. Announced during the Berlin Security Conference, the collaboration seeks to merge Northrop Grumman’s advanced Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS) with MBDA’s proven air defense technologies.
Under the agreement, both companies will conduct joint technical exchanges and demonstrations to validate the seamless integration of their systems. The effort is expected to advance Germany’s move toward a networked, multi-domain defense structure capable of countering evolving threats.
At the core of the collaboration is IBCS, a modular command-and-control network that links sensors and weapons into a unified battlespace. The system enables coordinated, multi-weapon engagements by sharing targeting data across all connected assets. Key components include the S-280 Shelter, which houses the Engagement Operations Center where operators manage real-time battle tasks.
Supporting the shelter is the Integrated Collaborative Environment, a workspace designed for 12 to 24 operators with the technical infrastructure needed for synchronized command operations. IBCS also incorporates the Integrated Fire Control Network, an unmanned system that builds the communications web linking radars, launchers, and command centers through radio, fiber, or satellite. The “plug-and-fight” interface allows new sensors and weapons to be added without major redesigns, enabling rapid deployment and flexible mission scaling.
