WASHINGTON, March 31, 2009 -- Nuclear deterrence and defense should no longer be thought of and structured as separate strategies argues a new paper released today by Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) Analysis Center.

"Deterrence and Defense in the 'Second Nuclear Age'" carefully examines the spectrum of conflict facing the nation and suggests a new approach for meeting current and future nuclear threats. The paper is available online at: http://www.analysiscenter.northropgrumman.com/papers.html

"Central to our argument is a strategy to integrate and synchronize nuclear deterrent and missile defense systems to meet future threats, thereby providing a broad range of flexible, integrated and time-sensitive options for U.S. decision-makers," said Dr. Robert P. Haffa Jr., Analysis Center director.

Haffa and the paper's other co-authors, Ravi Hichkad, research associate; Dana Johnson, senior analyst; and Philip Pratt, director business development for Northrop Grumman Information Systems, presented the paper today at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

In the first nuclear age, shaped by a bipolar, long-term competition between two superpowers and their allies, American defense policy and nuclear strategy relied on the primacy of deterrence over defense.

In the second nuclear age, shaped by a multi-polar security environment, emerging threats and unstable regimes, non-deterrable actors have arrived on the scene. Consequently a layered, flexibly based and rapidly deployable ballistic missile defense system is required.

"Most critically, the second nuclear age requires a more flexible, comprehensive military strategy that fuses deterrence and defense and integrates them into our national security policies and practices," said Haffa.

Specifically, the paper recommends: 

  * Using the pending Quadrennial Defense Review and Nuclear Posture
   Review to sustain and strengthen the credibility and capability of
   the strategic triad;
 * Directing new investments toward increased awareness of emerging
   threats and enhanced long range strike;
 * Placing priority on building layered, global, rapidly deployable
   capabilities to defense against ballistic missiles; and
 * Institutionalizing the operational synchronization of nuclear
   deterrence and defense.

Northrop Grumman's Analysis Center is a corporate "think tank" charged with broad-ranging analyses of defense policy, military threats, industry competitors, military doctrine, operational concepts, and present and future business opportunities. To learn more about the Northrop Grumman Analysis Center, visit: http://www.analysiscenter.northropgrumman.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:  Gus Gulmert
          Northrop Grumman Corporation
          (703) 875-8450
          gus.gulmert@ngc.com