HUNTSVILLE, Ala., Sept. 30, 2008 -- The U.S. Army has awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) a contract for Phase 1 of the Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System (IBCS) program. IBCS will provide air and missile defense warfighters the advantage of full situational understanding and the tools needed to effectively carry out their mission. The 11-month contract is valued at $15 million.

Northrop Grumman is one of two companies selected for this preliminary design phase. Final award of the development and test phase to one team is expected next year.

"Our warfighters need an integrated fire control capability that maximizes the power of their existing assets and is flexible enough to meet emerging threats," said Larry Dodgen, vice president and deputy general manager of Missile Defense Division for Northrop Grumman's Mission Systems sector. "Our innovative, open-architecture approach to IBCS will break down stovepipes and form a net-centric system where the right sensor is paired with the right shooter against a designated target. Our team is ready here in Huntsville to partner with the Army Program Executive Office to provide a low-risk, best value solution to get this system fielded as soon as possible."

IBCS will establish a network-centric system-of-systems solution for integrating sensors, shooters, and battle management, command, control, communications and intelligence systems for Army air and missile defense. Programs such as Patriot, SLAMRAAM, JLENS, Sentinel and THAAD will be connected via an integrated fire control network that allows the warfighter to take advantage of expanded sensor and weapon system combinations. As the system evolves, it will utilize a "plug-and-fight" approach that will ensure future systems can be easily incorporated. The program is expected to be fielded by 2014.

"IBCS is paving the way for other services and agencies to make the leap towards a joint, single integrated air picture," said Karen Williams, vice president and general manager of Missile Defense Division for Northrop Grumman's Mission Systems sector. "We commend the Army and the Defense Department's vision to realize the power of one integrated picture and its potential to enhance joint operations on the battlefield."

The program is being managed by the Integrated Air and Missile Defense Project Office, in support of the Program Executive Office for Missiles and Space in Huntsville, Ala.

Northrop Grumman is leading a team that includes The Boeing Company, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Harris Corporation, Schafer Corporation, Torch Systems LLC, Numerica Corporation, Applied Data Trends, COLSA Corporation, Space and Missile Defense Technologies LLC, CohesionForce Inc., Millennium Engineering and Integration Company, and RhinoCorps, Ltd. Co. Northrop Grumman will headquarter its IBCS program team in Huntsville.

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:  Marynoele Benson
          Northrop Grumman Mission Systems
          (703) 345-6734