Northrop Grumman has officially opened a new Enhanced Production and Integration Center (EPIC) in Madison, Alabama, designed to support the United States Army’s modernization efforts for air and missile defense systems. This facility aims to enhance the company’s production capabilities and accelerate the manufacturing of critical systems at scale.
The 175,500-square-foot EPIC will be pivotal in managing component integration for the Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS), a crucial element in the U.S. Army’s integrated air and missile defense framework. With this new center, Northrop Grumman expects to significantly increase its production capacity for IBCS, including up to 96 Engagement Operation Centers, 96 Integrated Collaborative Environments, and 192 Integrated Fire Control Network relays annually.
The EPIC facility spans over 129,500 square feet dedicated to production, with an additional 35,000 square feet for office space. This expansion is expected to accommodate hundreds of employees, further bolstering Northrop Grumman’s economic footprint in the region.
Kenn Todorov, Vice President and General Manager of Command and Control & Weapons Integration at Northrop Grumman, emphasized the strategic importance of this investment in American manufacturing. He highlighted that the new facility will support critical modernization efforts, enabling the company to meet the demand for IBCS production at an accelerated pace. "This investment also doubles our integration space, enhancing both our storage and classified testing capabilities," Todorov added.
The $20 million investment comes at a time when air and missile defense capabilities are a priority for the U.S. and its allies. The new center will help Northrop Grumman deliver advanced solutions, contributing to the U.S. Army's goals for integrated air and missile defense, as well as fulfilling foreign military sales objectives.
IBCS, a modular and scalable command and control system, unifies both current and future defense systems regardless of service or domain. It provides a comprehensive, actionable view of the battlespace by integrating sensor data, offering warfighters more time to respond to threats. The system is already fielded in Poland and is planned for deployment across various U.S. combatant commands in Europe and the Indo-Pacific, including Guam.
This new facility is a significant step in Northrop Grumman’s commitment to maintaining leadership in aerospace and defense technologies, providing customers with the capabilities to address complex global security challenges.