US Indo-Pacific Command tests critical capabilities and operational readiness during multi-domain military exercises

Asia-Pacific, News, US June 20, 2024 , by IRIA No Comments

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command conducted joint training in multi-domain exercises to test critical capabilities and improve operational readiness in the Indo-Pacific region. U.S. defense firm Northrop Grumman collaborated with the U.S. military on nine separate experiments during the drills.

According to the Northrop Grumman statement, the company demonstrated critical capabilities in Indo-Pacific region exercises and allowed the Joint Force to “practice real-world efficiency in detecting, locating, tracking and engaging” threats at sea, in the air, on land, as well as in cyberspace.

Several of the Northrop Grumman-built platforms participated in the Indo-Pacific exercises, including the B-2 Spirit, E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar (AN/TPS-80 G/ATOR), Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS), and Maritime Targeting Cell (MTC).

“Participation in field training exercises enabled warfighters to leverage and demonstrate innovative military capabilities and provided an opportunity for Northrop Grumman to gain customer feedback and valuable real-world insight, potentially leading to improved solutions,” the company said in a statement.

Corporate vice president of global business development at Northrop Grumman, Steve O’Bryan said, “We support the U.S. Joint Force with transformative technologies to advance and connect military capabilities and ensure battlefield readiness today and tomorrow.”

“These exercises are excellent opportunities for Northrop Grumman to demonstrate new capabilities while gaining first-hand feedback from military users, so we can continually improve effectiveness when employed operationally,” he added.

U.S. E-2D Hawkeye lands on the flight deck aboard the USS Ronald Reagan — *^{A Northrop Grumman-built E-2D Hawkeye lands on the flight deck aboard the USS Ronald Reagan during flight operations in the Philippine Sea on June 14. (Image Credit: U.S. Navy)}*

Northrop Grumman highlighted in its statement that the company regularly participates in military exercises with the U.S. forces and allies to demonstrate innovative warfighting capabilities providing a definitive edge. Northrop Grumman also participated in previous exercises in the Indo-Pacific region and tested various systems, including the U.S. Army’s IBCS, deployed as part of an expansive, distributed network across the area of operations.

Multilateral Operations in Indo-Pacific

U.S. Navy conducted a Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) in the Indo-Pacific with allied navies. The Royal Canadian Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, and Armed Forces of the Philippines joined the U.S. Navy for a joint exercise in the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone.

According to the U.S. Navy statement, the multilateral operations conducted on June 16-17 were aimed at upholding freedom of navigation and overflight. It reaffirmed the four nations’ commitment to bolstering regional security and stability.

The MCA operations involved the U.S. Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114), Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Murasame-class destroyer JS Kirisame (DD 104), the Royal Canadian Navy’s Halifax-class frigate HMCS Montreal (FFH 336), and the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Gregorio del Pilar-class patrol ship BRP Andres Bonifacio (PS-17).

U.S., Japan, Canada, and Philippines naval exercise — ^{Philippines’ Gregorio del Pilar-class patrol ship BRP Andres Bonifacio (PS 17) sails in formation with the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114), Japanese ship JS Kirisame (DD 104), and Canadian Navy’s Halifax-class frigate HMCS Montreal (FFH 336) in the Philippine Sea during a multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity on June 16, 2024. (Image Credit: U.S. Navy)}

The navies of the four nations conducted a series of activities and maritime maneuvers to test and validate the interoperability of the armed forces doctrines, tactics, techniques, and procedures.

“The MCA demonstrates our collective commitment to strengthen regional and international cooperation in the maritime domain… It also provided an opportunity to demonstrate professional interactions among naval and air forces rooted in long-standing military traditions and customs,” the statement added.