ELKTON, Md. and HUNTSVILLE, Ala., Sept. 26, 2008 -- The Northrop Grumman Corporation-led (NYSE:NOC) Kinetic Energy Interceptor (KEI) team successfully completed the third of five planned static fire tests of the second stage motor on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008. Northrop Grumman is the prime contractor for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency's KEI program.

Conducted at teammate Alliant Techsystems' (NYSE:ATK) facility in Elkton, Md., the test represented the first static firing test of the flight configuration nozzle. Raytheon Company (NYSE:RTN) oversaw the test as the team's lead for interceptor development.

"The success of this test provides us with additional confidence in our second stage motor design and performance," said Anthony Spehar, sector vice president and KEI program manager for Northrop Grumman's Space Technology sector. "This test marks a critical milestone for the program that shows our mission assurance efforts are on track leading to the program's first booster flight test in 2009."

Designed and built by ATK, the second stage rocket motor burned successfully to completion and met all test objectives. Initial results from the test matched expectations for mechanical and ballistic performance. Detailed data collected during the test will be used to further refine and optimize the motor design and performance.

KEI is designed to be a mobile, globally deployable missile defense system featuring MDA's newest high-acceleration booster. The system's mission is to provide a strategically deployable, tactically mobile, land- and sea-based capability to defeat medium- to long-range ballistic missiles during the boost, ascent and midcourse phases of flight. The highly maneuverable booster, a multi-sensor fire control system and constant communications give KEI the unique capability to counter missiles in all stages of flight.

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: Bob Bishop
         Northrop Grumman Space Technology
         310.812.5227
         Cell: 310.251.0261
         bob.j.bishop@ngc.com