Northrop Grumman to Help U.S. Navy Study Options for Developing Fleet of Carrier-Launched Unmanned Systems

Service Seeks New Surveillance, Strike Capability on the Deck by 2018

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – July 7, 2011 -- The U.S. Navy will gain insight into the technical risks, challenges and operational benefits of developing a new fleet of unmanned carrier-launched surveillance and strike (UCLASS) aircraft through a study contract awarded June 23 to Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC).

The nine-month contract, worth approximately $500,000, was one of four related contracts awarded by the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), Patuxent River, Md.

Under terms of the study contract, Northrop Grumman will support pre-Milestone A activities including developing concepts of operation for a UCLASS system; defining system design and architecture concepts capable of meeting the Navy's desired 2018 Limited Operational Capability; and conducting a cost-schedule-performance analysis of alternative approaches to implementing the proposed UCLASS system.

Under the contract, the company will also help the Navy analyze the relative maturity and near-term availability of UCLASS-relevant technologies; and address system affordability issues by identifying ways to shorten key development, test, and certification timelines.

Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide. Please visit www.northropgrumman.com for more information.

CONTACT: Brooks McKinney, APR
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brooks.mckinney@ngc.com