Finmeccanica Cyber Solutions Team Awarded Contract to Provide NATO's Cyber Security Requirement

ROME, Feb. 29, 2012 -- Finmeccanica (FNC IM, SIFI.MI), through SELEX Elsag and VEGA, together with its partner Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC), has been awarded a contract by the NATO Consultation, Command and Control (NATO C3) Agency to develop, implement and support the NATO Computer Incident Response Capability (NCIRC) - Full Operating Capability (FOC). The contract, worth around EUR 50 million, is for an extensive managed service which will provide information assurance to around 50 NATO sites and headquarters throughout 28 countries worldwide.

The NCIRC will provide the capability to detect and respond to cyber security threats and vulnerabilities rapidly and effectively. The project is intended to meet the level of ambition of NATO Head of States as set out during the Lisbon Summit in November 2010.

"This outcome clearly demonstrates the ability of Finmeccanica to draw on leading capabilities across its group to provide leading-edge Cyber Solutions to such an important international organisation. We are delighted that this strong partnership, combining the capabilities, resources and expertise of both organisations spanning the UK, US and Italy, has been selected to offer what we believe is the superior solution best meeting the requirements of this key NATO Programme, which Finmeccanica is fully committed to delivering successfully," said Giuseppe Orsi, Chairman and CEO of Finmeccanica.

"We are pleased to be part of the team selected for this strategically important NATO programme," said Mike Papay, Vice President Cyber Initiatives of Northrop Grumman Information Systems. "Northrop Grumman looks forward to bringing its talent, resources and decades-long expertise in building and operating national-level cyber security management centres, both in the U.S and U.K., to this programme to help protect NATO's networks from advanced cyber threats."

About Finmeccanica

Finmeccanica plays a leading role in the global aerospace and defence industry, and participates in some of the sector's biggest international programmes through its group companies and thanks to well-established alliances with European and US partners. A leader in the design and manufacture of helicopters, defence and security electronics, civil and military aircraft, aerostructures, satellites, space infrastructure and defence systems, Finmeccanica is Italy's leading high-tech company. It also boasts significant manufacturing assets and expertise in the transport and energy sectors; it is listed on the Milan stock exchange and operates via a number of group companies and joint ventures. Finmeccanica Cyber Solutions represents the best of the sovereign cyber security capability. For over 20 years, the combined capability of the Finmeccanica operating companies has helped ensure the highest levels of cyber security and information assurance for those responsible for national resilience, counter terrorism, and military interoperability.

About Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman is an industry leader in all aspects of computer network operations and cyber security and is at the forefront of the challenge to find innovative solutions that can effectively defend networks and offer protection across the entire cyber domain. The company is developing the next-generation of advanced cyber solutions: from policy, governance and requirements, to software application, network development, training and operational support, we are positioned at every level to respond to customers' cyber security needs. Northrop Grumman has a well established presence in the UK with specialist resources in cyber security and intelligence including at its Fareham facility, the first commercially available federated cyber test range in the UK. 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. Visit www.northropgrumman.com for more information.

CONTACT: Media Contacts:

Finmeccanica S.p.a.
Press Office
Tel.: +39 06 324733 13
E-mail: ufficiostampa@finmeccanica.com

Finmeccanica UK
Clare Roberts
Communications Manager
Tel.: +44 (0) 73406132
E-mail: clare.roberts@finmeccanica.com

Northrop Grumman
Ken Beedle
Director International Communications
Tel. +44 (0) 7787 174092
E-mail:Ken.beedle@euro.ngc.com