The Boeing Co. [BA] joined Northrop Grumman Corp. [NOC] in competing for the Army Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System (IBCS) contract, Northrop announced.

Northrop would be the prime contractor, if it wins the contract. But Northrop faces competition in gaining that prize.

For example, IBM [IBM] joined a competing team led by Raytheon Co. [RTN] in bidding for the contract.

“Team IBCS brings together the innovators in our industry, academia, and large and small business to ensure the Army gets an affordable, best-of-breed IBCS solution by 2011,” said Pete Franklin, vice president for the Integrated Air and Missile Defense unit in Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems. “Our open business model process … enables all team members to contribute significantly in this effort.”

The goal of IBCS is to provide an open architecture that enables the warfighter to take advantage of any sensor and any shooter integrated fire control network.

The Army vision is to move toward a network-centric system-of-systems capability for integrating sensors, shooters, and battle management command, control, communications and intelligence systems for Army air and missile defense.

“IBM brings open architecture enterprise integration and supply chain skills and experience to the IBCS team,” said Chuck Prow, general manager for IBM Global Business Services supporting the Department of Defense.

The program is being managed by the Integrated Air and Missile Defense Program Office in the Program Executive Office for Missiles and Space in Huntsville, Ala.

A request for proposals is expected soon.

IBCS is the first step toward a joint integrated air and missile defense capability.

Northrop will leverage its systems engineering and integration expertise derived from fielding the Counter-Rocket, Artillery and Mortar system to support the IBCS effort. Northrop Grumman also is responsible for building and fielding the Air Defense Airspace Management Cell, which is resident at every brigade combat team, division and corps to integrate the common activities of air defense and aviation.

Many of these firms hold major roles in the ballistic missile defense programs that aim to erect a multi-layered shield protecting the United States, its troops and allies from enemy ballistic missiles.