Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN)

The most innovative Gateway meets the most capable platform

E-11A aircrraft sitting on runway at night

The complete picture to the warfighter, 24/7

Northrop Grumman’s Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) combined with the E-11A modified Bombardier BD700 business jet, enable a high-altitude, airborne communications gateway that translates and distributes imagery, voice and tactical data from disparate elements — enhancing situational awareness and enabling seamless interoperability for joint and coalition forces operating across air, space, land and sea.

BACN Bridges the Gap

In theater operations, mountainous terrain inhibited line-of-sight communications; diverse weapon systems were unable to communicate with each other; warfighters could only see a limited picture of the battlespace. BACN bridges the gap between disparate systems, platforms and sensors, enabling essential situational awareness ranging from small ground units in contact with enemy forces to the highest command levels to deliver the right information to the right user at the right time.

In response to a Joint Urgent Operational Need (JUON), Northrop Grumman accelerated integration of BACN onto manned aircraft and provided this indispensable capability to the warfighter in 9 months. The BD700 aircraft integrated with BACN were delivered in theater ahead of already aggressive schedules.

Connecting The Joint Force

Over the course of more than 15,500 missions, enabled by sustainment support that delivers uninterrupted mission readiness, the BACN Gateway has a mission availability rate greater than 98 percent.

Northrop Grumman takes an agile approach to introduce new capabilities on the BACN Gateway system such as the integration of new automation software, implementation of agile software development processes, and the incorporation of enhanced military standard communications protocols — all to meet emerging mission demands. The open architecture design and cyber-secure processing of the BACN Gateway system, coupled with its ability to easily integrate advanced technologies and proven track record of success, make this system well-suited to meet the needs of Joint All Domain Command and Control.

Learn more about Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2)