The Los Angeles-based contractor said in a statement that the new system will help aid troops in making better battlefield decisions by integrating weapons, radar and sensor systems.

The system "takes care of the science of warfare, so the war fighter can focus on the art of warfare," said Linda A. Mills, president of Northrop's Information Systems sector.

The system concerns the development of the Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command and the Northrop Grumman team includes a string of aerospace subcontractors, including Boeing and Lockheed Martin.

The deal will also boost Harris Corp., the largest defense contractor based in Florida, company officials said.

Northrop and its team, which includes Harris Corp., won over a rival bid led by Raytheon Co.

The deal covers a span of five years and terms of the contract call for the Northrop team to build an advanced command system that "combines and incorporates the Patriot interceptor and existing air and missile defense weapons," the company said.

"The so-called system of systems will link commanders seamlessly to all weapons, sensors, intelligence and other technical data on the battlefield," the Orlando Sentinel reported.

The Integrated air and missile defense Battle Command System is expected to be operational in the field by 2014.

In a statement, Harris Corp. said that its role in the contract would be to produce advanced communications radios for the new command system. The High band Networking Radios will be made at Harris' Palm Bay operation, company spokesperson Steighton Meyer was reported saying, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

"The company will also provide technical support and network engineering services to Northrop," Meyer said.

The Lockheed operation will be responsible for developing the system's technical support and software. The value of its subcontract is estimated at $50 million.

Northrop's lucrative deal follows the company's announcement that it had also successfully delivered mine-detection technology to the U.S. Navy.

The ALMDS technology is designed to provide the Navy with state-of-the-art mine threat detection capability near the surface of the water.

"Mines are an inexpensive threat, deployable by terrorists and rogue states, to international shipping and access assurance by our military vessels," Bob Klein, Northrop Grumman Maritime and Tactical Systems vice president, said in a statement.

"Northrop Grumman's ALMDS, particularly when coupled with our mine clearance system, will not only address the threat but keep the sailor out of the minefield," he said.

The delivery, billed a milestone for the prominent defense contractor, was made six weeks in advance of schedule.

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