Northrop Grumman delivers Australian automated biometric information system trial proof of concept

Friday, Nov 30, 2012

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has successfully delivered the trial proof of concept for an automated biometric information system (ABIS) for the Australian Department of Defence. The system will be operated for a trial period to enable testing and refinement of analytical techniques for producing biometrically enabled intelligence and to help determine the requirements for a future biometrics information management solution.

"This delivery is a key step in the development of a multimodal biometric data repository for the Australian Department of Defence," said Samuel Abbate, vice president of defense enterprise solutions for Northrop Grumman's Information Systems sector. "It marks the start of a six-month trial during which biometric data will be collected, stored, matched and processed in accordance with existing legislative frameworks. ABIS will be an important element in Australian Defence Forces capability to ensure identity dominance and assurance in the theatre."

The proof of concept was delivered to the Chief Information Officer Group, Australian Department of Defence, under a one-year contract. The Australian system, which is modelled after the U.S. Department of Defense Automated Biometric Identification System (DOD ABIS), will be used to produce biometrically enabled intelligence and demonstrate the feasibility of a biometric analytic capability in the Australian Defence Force.

Northrop Grumman is the prime contractor for the DOD ABIS system, the central repository and authoritative source for the U.S. Defense Department multimodal (face, fingerprint, iris and palm) biometric identity records for persons of interest. The network-centric system is accessible worldwide and interfaces with other U.S. government agency data systems.

Northrop Grumman has well-established relationships with Australia, where it has been supporting a variety of both defence and civil programs for more than 20 years. Northrop Grumman was recently awarded a contract to build a cyber test range for the University of New South Wales and Canberra campus at the Australian Defence Force Academy. The company also recently completed the acquisition of M5 Network Security, a Canberra-based provider of cyber security and secure mobile communications to Australian military and intelligence organizations.

Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in unmanned systems, cyber security, C4ISR, and logistics and modernization to government and commercial customers worldwide. Please visit www.northropgrumman.com for more information.

SOURCE Northrop Grumman Corporation