WACO, Texas, April 29, 2009 -- L-3 (NYSE:LLL) Crestview Aerospace announced today its 200th consecutive on-time, on-budget installation of Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) self-protection systems aboard U.S. Air Force C-130 and H-53 aircraft. The milestone was celebrated with a ceremony April 29 at the L-3 facility in Crestview, Fla.

The installations included multiple variants and configurations of Northrop Grumman's AN/AAQ-24(V) Directional Infrared Countermeasures (DIRCM) system. The IRCM team also includes Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT), which provides installation engineering, manufacturing and program management.

The only such aircraft protection system currently in production, Northrop Grumman's AN/AAQ-24(V) DIRCM system is now installed or scheduled for installation on several hundred military aircraft to protect approximately 48 different types of large fixed-wing transports and rotary-wing platforms from infrared missile attacks. The system functions by automatically detecting a missile launch, determining if it is a threat and activating a high-intensity laser-based countermeasure system to track and defeat the missile.

L-3 Crestview Aerospace fabricated each of the 200 DIRCM/LAIRCM aircraft installation kits it has installed, as well as spares and kits for installation at other sites. There were more than 33 different configurations based on aircraft-unique specifications and customer requirements.

"In our eight years of performance, our operation delivered despite six major hurricanes that several times shut us down for days," said Barry Steiner, president of L-3 Crestview Aerospace. "Our team also adjusted to meet military operational requirements that forced late aircraft arrivals or early departures."

"On-time delivery of 200 installations was achieved and sustained by the strong work ethic of a highly integrated product team," said Paul Monseur, director of Modernization and Sustainment at Lockheed Martin Systems Integration in Owego, NY. "Congratulations to the IRCM team for this milestone and your continued commitment to our nation's aircrews."

"Since the program's inception, this outstanding aerospace partnership has continued to serve as a model for the rest of our industry when it comes to teamwork and collaboration," said Joe Magnelli, director, Domestic Infrared Countermeasures Programs at Northrop Grumman's Defensive Systems Division. "The work we do here provides the most robust, battle-proven capability to protect the warfighter on the battlefield today."

Based in Crestview, Fla., L-3 Crestview Aerospace provides aircraft structures, major airframe assemblies, and military aircraft modification services to the military, prime contractors and original equipment manufacturers.

L-3 Platform Integration division provides complex aircraft integration services for military, commercial and OEM customers. Its operations include the Waco, Texas headquarters and integration center; L-3 Crestview Aerospace in Crestview, Fla., and L-3 TCS in Warner-Robins, Ga.

Headquartered in New York City, L-3 Communications employs over 64,000 people worldwide and is a prime contractor in aircraft modernization and maintenance, C3ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) systems and government services. L-3 is also a leading provider of high technology products, subsystems and systems. The company reported 2008 sales of $14.9 billion. To learn more about L-3, please visit the company's Web site at www.L-3com.com .

Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide. 

  CONTACT:  Ellen Hamilton
          Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems
          224-625-4693
          ellen.hamilton@ngc.com

          Lance Martin
          L-3 Platform Integration
          254-867-7001