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Northrop Grumman and Thales Nederland BV agree to market combat management system

18 October 2002

Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE: NOC) Electronic Systems sector and Thales Nederland B.V. have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to market and produce a Combat Management System (CMS) targeting the global small surface ship combatant market with near-term objectives being the U.S. Coast Guard and the Egyptian Navy foreign military sales program.

Based on the Thales TACTICOS CMS family currently installed on board more than 70 naval ships in 11 countries, this MOU is a baseline agreement from which further definitive program specific agreements may emerge. Those further agreements will enable combatants to have immediate access to a cost effective CMS source.

A CMS integrates all of the shipboard sensors as well as providing surveillance of air, surface, and subsurface data, compiling them into a tactical picture that provides the most current data to enable the commanding officer to make effective, time critical decisions, and perform actual target engagement.

"Combining the capabilities of Thales and Northrop Grumman provides the latest CMS technology and proven solutions at an affordable price tailored for surface combatants," said Don Hairston, Director of Northrop Grumman's Advanced Maritime Programs. "Because the technology is already demonstrated on platforms of all sizes, system development costs don't play a factor, thereby making the CMS an attractive, as well as, affordable solution."

Both Thales and Northrop Grumman produce electronic systems such as radars, communication equipment, and command & control systems for naval combat ships. Northrop Grumman's experience with U.S. Navy and Coast Guard programs such as the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) and Deepwater enables the team to offer unparalleled C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) capabilities.

Thales Nederland B.V. is part of the international Thales group. Thales Nederland B.V. is based in Hengelo, the Netherlands and is a global supplier of a wide range of equipment for above water warfare and is a naval combat system integrator. The main systems and services of Thales Nederland B.V. include active and passive surveillance systems, weapon control systems for guns and missiles, combat management systems, combat system integration, and life cycle support services.

Headquartered in Baltimore, Md., Northrop Grumman's Electronic Systems sector is a world leader in the design, development and manufacture of defense electronics and systems including airborne radar systems, navigation systems, electronic warfare systems, precision weapons, air traffic control systems, air defense systems, communications systems, space systems, marine systems, oceanic and naval systems, logistics systems, and automation and information systems.

Press contacts:
Thales Nederland - Ingrid de Graaff - +31 74 248 2697
Northrop Grumann - Debbi McCallam - + 1 (410) 765-1521