MELBOURNE, Fla., Nov. 30, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) KC-30 Tanker team will generate economic activity approaching $45 million annually and create or support more than 800 direct and indirect jobs in Pennsylvania if the KC-30 Tanker aircraft is selected by the U.S. Air Force.

Northrop Grumman and the KC-30 supply chain in Pennsylvania currently support more than 7,500 jobs statewide and generate a combined economic activity exceeding $935 million annually.

Northrop Grumman and teammate EADS spend more than $260 million annually in Pennsylvania, while KC-30 supplier companies inject more than $670 million into the economy each year. Northrop Grumman's current workforce in Pennsylvania represents $19 million in annual salaries.

Northrop Grumman's KC-30 Tanker supply base in Pennsylvania will include: 

  Timet; Morgantown, Pa.
 Carpenter Technology; Reading, Pa.
 SPS Technologies; Jenkintown, Pa.

The KC-30 Tanker aircraft will be assembled in Mobile, Ala., and the KC-30 team will employ 25,000 American workers at 230 U.S. companies. It will be built by a world-class industrial team led by Northrop Grumman, and includes EADS North America, General Electric Aviation and Sargent Fletcher.

About the KC-30: Northrop Grumman's KC-30 Tanker carries 45,000 more pounds of fuel than a KC-135 or any competitor, providing a significant boost to the U.S. Air Force's global reach. The KC-30 is also designed to refuel Navy and coalition aircraft, and to serve as a multi-role transport aircraft to move passengers, cargo and medical evacuation patients. The KC-30 incorporates defense systems, precision fly-by-wire technology, and the ability to integrate a communications suite and a global support network.

Northrop Grumman Corporation is a $30 billion 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:  Randy Belote
          Northrop Grumman Corporation
          (703) 875-8525
          randy.belote@ngc.com

          Tim Paynter
          Northrop Grumman Integrated Systems
          (321) 961-1101
          tim.paynter@ngc.com