MELBOURNE, Fla., Dec. 6, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) KC-30 Tanker team will generate economic activity exceeding $225 million annually and support more than 2,800 direct and indirect jobs in Maryland if the KC-30 Tanker aircraft is selected by the U.S. Air Force.

Northrop Grumman and the KC-30 supply chain in Maryland currently support more than 18,500 jobs statewide and generate a combined economic activity exceeding $1.3 billion annually.

Northrop Grumman and teammate EADS spend nearly $470 million annually in Maryland, while KC-30 supplier companies inject more than $850 million into the economy each year. Northrop Grumman's current workforce in Maryland includes nearly 11,000 employees and represents more than $800 million in annual salaries.

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

  Middle River Aircraft Systems; Baltimore
 Perkinelmer Fluid Sciences; Beltsville, Md.
 Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems; Linthicum, Md.

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