RESTON, Va., April 28, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) announced today that Lockheed Martin has joined its team competing for the U.S. Air Force's Global Positioning System (GPS) Next Generation Control Segment (OCX) Phase B contract.

The OCX modernization effort will provide mission enterprise control support for the nation's existing GPS Block II and future Block III satellites. The current OCX contract for Phase A of the program is valued at $160 million and will provide the Air Force a flexible, scaleable, extensible and service-oriented re-architecture of the current GPS ground system. If selected for Phase B, Northrop Grumman's Team OCX will deliver and sustain OCX via a block development approach.

"Lockheed Martin Information Systems and Global Services is a tremendous addition to Northrop Grumman's experienced and proven team and will greatly enhance our ability to offer the customer an innovative and low-risk OCX solution that modernizes GPS command and control for effects-based operations," said Steve Bergjans, GPS OCX vice president and program manager for Northrop Grumman.

Lockheed Martin will leverage a 30-year GPS service history of proven program performance, which includes successfully integrating and operating all versions of GPS space vehicles and ground system architectures, to support Northrop Grumman's innovative approach for an enduring next generation control segment that will optimize operational effects via net-enabled, shared situational awareness and assured services.

"We are pleased to join Northrop Grumman's Team OCX," said John Mengucci, president of Mission and Combat Support Solutions for Lockheed Martin. "We look forward to working side-by-side with Northrop Grumman to provide the Air Force and global users new capabilities via an outstanding combination of innovation, navigation, and timing know-how."

Under an Air Force risk reduction effort, Northrop Grumman has since 2005 supported the study of state-of-the-art capabilities in satellite control segment software and hardware architecture and developed innovative architectures to meet OCX performance requirements.

Lockheed Martin, Gaithersburg, Md., joins a best of industry team that also includes Harris Corporation, Melbourne, Fla.; Integral Systems, Inc., Lanham, Md.; and General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, Dayton, Ohio; and several key specialty small businesses and vendors such as Infinity Systems Engineering, Colorado Springs, Colo., and Applied Minds, Glendale, Calif. Northrop Grumman leads Team OCX as prime contractor.

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

  CONTACT:  Janis Lamar
          Northrop Grumman Mission Systems
          (703) 345-7046
          janis.lamar@ngc.com

          George I. Seffers
          Northrop Grumman Mission Systems
          (703) 345-8548
          george.seffers@ngc.com