Northrop Grumman unit gets $276.3 million Air Force deal for communications network

Northrop Grumman unit gets $276.3M Air Force deal

WASHINGTON — A unit of Northrop Grumman Corp., the nation’s second-largest defense contractor, received a $276.3 million Air Force deal for a communications network that will be used on military drones, the Pentagon said Wednesday.

The Battlefield Airborne Communications Node System is a prototype of a remotely accessed, high-altitude and tactical communications network that will be used on unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, which have seen greater use in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Northrop will install the system in three Bombardier aircraft and two Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicles.

Shares of Los Angeles-based company fell 37 cents to close at $44.89.