NEWPORT NEWS, Va., Dec. 9, 2010 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) Shipbuilding sector completed a significant milestone on the Nimitz -class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) with the installation of the ship's propulsion shafting and propeller installation on Dec. 5.

"This is a significant accomplishment in a very large and complex project," said Todd West, CVN 71 program director for Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding-Newport News. "Installing the ship's propulsion shafts and propellers is a significant accomplishment performed during the docking phase of the overhaul and brings us one step closer to moving the ship out of dry dock and back into the water."

An important aspect of this availability includes removing, refurbishing and reinstalling the ship's propulsion shafts and 60,000 pound propellers. Work began shortly after the ship arrived in August 2009 and took about 15 months to complete.

"It's great to witness Team Theodore Roosevelt achieving this important milestone in returning a renewed, refueled and refurbished Theodore Roosevelt to the fleet," said the ship's executive officer, Capt. Douglas Verissimo, U.S. Navy. "Reinstalling the propellers aboard this ship is an exciting feat of engineering, teamwork and skill, and it represents a significant achievement as we work together to get the ship back in the water again where she belongs."

Theodore Roosevelt is undergoing its refueling and complex overhaul. The project is scheduled to last more than three years and will be the ship's one and only refueling and complex overhaul in a 50-year life span. Theodore Roosevelt is the fourth ship of the Nimitz class to undergo this major life-cycle milestone.

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. Please visit www.northropgrumman.com for more information. 

  CONTACT:  Lauren A. Green
          Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding
          (757) 380-3581
          Lauren.Green@ngc.com