[Satellite TODAY 09-15-11] Northrop Grumman signed a three-year agreement with Inmarsat to become a leased services provider and network services distribution partner of Inmarsat commercial satellite services, the companies announced Sept. 14.

   Northrop Grumman will distribute Inmarsat’s Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) and offer standard Inmarsat products, services and customized power and bandwidth. Northrop Grumman said the agreement aims to strengthen its national and international defense and government customer base and contribute to maintaining satellite communications as a key component of the company’s integrated capabilities.

   “The utilization of commercial satellite communications has long been a standard component of Northrop Grumman’s Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance or C4ISR offerings to U.S. and international customers. Our relationship with Inmarsat creates a synergistic opportunity for both companies, as these offerings continue to develop around the globe,” Northrop Grumman Battle Management Systems Director Dan Verwiel said in a statement.