Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC) has delivered its 100th AN/ASQ-242 communications, navigation and identification (CNI) system to Lockheed Martin Corp. for integration into the F-35 Lightning II.

“The CNI system is a critical part of the F-35 mission systems suite, and we’re proud of the excellent performance of the AN/ASQ-242 in flight tests and ongoing pilot and maintainer training activities,” said Mike Twyman, Vice President and General Manager of the Defense Systems division of Northrop Grumman Information Systems. “This milestone underscores our commitment to advanced design, quality manufacturing, affordability and supportability.”

Northrop Grumman’s integrated CNI system provides F-35 pilots with the capability of more than 27 avionics functions. By using its industry-leading software-defined radio technology, Northrop Grumman’s design allows the simultaneous operation of multiple critical functions while greatly reducing size, weight and power demands on the advanced fighter. These capabilities include identification friend or foe, precision navigation, and various voice and data communications, including the Multifunction advanced data link, which was approved by the US Department of Defense Joint Requirements Oversight Council for use on all low-observable platforms.