Northrop Plans Wireless Security Network

Northrop Grumman Corp. proposed developing a high-speed national wireless network for about $2 billion to bolster emergency radio systems that broke down in the hours after the World Trade Center attack.

The Century City-based defense contractor said it expected to announce Monday that it has teamed with New Jersey wireless start-up Flarion Technologies Inc. to draw up a plan Northrop will present to homeland security planners. Northrop said the wireless system would run separately from existing commercial networks.