BETHPAGE, N.Y., Feb. 23, 2009 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has been awarded a study contract by the U.S. Navy to investigate a Next Generation Jammer to replace its aging ALQ-99 airborne electronic attack system. The Navy is seeking to counter the diverse electronic weapons, communications and enemy air defenses that our warfighters may face in the future.

The six-month Next Generation Jammer study is valued at approximately $6 million. It is the first major step toward the development and production of a modular, scalable jamming system for multiplatform, multiservice use. When developed and in production, the Next Generation Jammer program could potentially be worth several hundred million dollars.

"Northrop Grumman defined airborne radar jamming with its Intruder aircraft in the early 1960s and successfully expanded the concept with its Prowlers, Ravens and the latest system for the EA-18G Growler. Our new ICAP III system in Navy EA-6B Prowlers is performing a critical troop protection mission in the electronic battlefield over Iraq every day," said Patricia McMahon, vice president of the Information Operations and Electronic Attack integrated product team.

"No company can match the combat-proven airborne electronic attack system design and operational experience of Northrop Grumman," McMahon said. "That experience gives us great confidence that we can significantly reduce the risk of the Next Generation Jammer development efforts and maximize the investment the Navy will make in this critical capability."

Today, Northrop Grumman is delivering ICAP (Improved Capability) III systems for incorporation into Marine Corps EA-6B Prowlers and a derivative of that system for the EA-18G Growlers. The Growler is now in production and undergoing operational evaluation by the Navy, which plans to stand up the first two fleet Growler squadrons later this year.

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:  John A. Vosilla
          Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems
          (516) 575-5119
          John.Vosilla@ngc.com