OSHKOSH, Wis., Aug. 4, 2010 -- For the third consecutive year, Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) Global Hawk program sponsored six high school students to attend this year's Oshkosh Summer Aviation Camps. In addition, the company sponsored two college students to serve as seasonal camp counselors.

Three of the high school students are from the Los Angeles area and three are from the Washington, D.C. area. The college students are from the University of Oklahoma and California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.

"There are exceptional people working to support the Global Hawk program and ensure its continued success in supporting the warfighter," said Eric Garvin, Global Hawk Washington, D.C. manager for Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems sector. "In addition to supporting the warfighter, we believe it's critical to continue contributing and fostering the growth of young aviation enthusiasts and promoting science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) efforts."

The students had a chance to explore a full-scale model of the U.S. Air Force RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned aircraft system, which was on display at EAA AirVenture, the nation's largest air show for experimental aviation enthusiasts.

The Global Hawk was available for public viewing at EAA AirVenture from July 26 through Aug. 1.

The high-flying, combat-proven Global Hawk Block 10 with its impressive 116-foot wingspan can carry up to 2,000 pounds of internal payload. An upgraded version now being delivered to the U.S. Air Force carries 3,000 pounds of sensors and is supported by an open system architecture, a "plug-and-play" environment that can accommodate new systems as they are developed to help government customers quickly evaluate and adopt new technologies. The Global Hawk is 47.6 feet long and has a maximum gross takeoff weight of 32,250 pounds. Its typical mission altitude is 60,000 feet, with a maximum endurance of more than 32 consecutive flight hours.

Global Hawks are built and supported by more than 16,200 dedicated men and women from 247 companies, generating approximately $2.2 billion in 36 U.S. states. Global Hawks were deployed in 2001 in support of overseas contingency operations and have flown nearly 32,000 combat hours thus far. Global Hawks have also helped fight wildfires in California and monitor hurricanes along the U.S. Gulf Coast, and conducts critical environmental research for NASA.

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. For more information visit www.northropgrumman.com 

  CONTACT:  Sherri Hargrove
          Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems
          (858) 618-4556
          sherri.hargrove@ngc.com