BALTIMORE, Oct. 3, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- James F. Pitts today assumed the post of corporate vice president and president of Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE: NOC) Baltimore-based Electronic Systems sector, succeeding Robert P. Iorizzo, who is retiring at age 65 on November 30, in accordance with the company's mandatory retirement policy for officers.

A 32-year veteran of the company, Pitts previously served as vice president and general manager of the sector's aerospace systems division, a position he held since 2001.

"Thanks to the outstanding leadership and vision of Bob Iorizzo, the Electronic Systems sector remains well-positioned in the defense industry with a wide-ranging, balanced portfolio of advanced technology products and services for both defense and homeland security applications," said Pitts. "I look forward to working together with the talented and innovative employees of Electronic Systems as we continue to deliver the leading-edge electronic sensors, systems and services so critical to the security and freedom of our nation and its allies."

Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems sector had sales in 2004 of $6.4 billion. It has 24,000 employees worldwide, 9,000 of which are located at Maryland sites including Linthicum, Annapolis, Sykesville, Gaithersburg, Belcamp, Lanham, and Hagerstown. Northrop Grumman is one of the largest employers in Maryland, with more than 11,000 employees statewide.

Since joining the former Westinghouse defense electronics business in Baltimore (acquired by Northrop Grumman in 1996) as an engineer, Pitts has held positions of increasing responsibility. He was named deputy general manager of the systems development and engineering division in 1990, and one year later was appointed vice president of avionics systems. Pitts was appointed vice president of engineering and manufacturing in 1997 before assuming his most recent position.

Pitts earned a bachelor's degree in engineering science and a master's degree in electrical engineering from The Johns Hopkins University. He also attended the Executive Forum at INSEAD business school in Fontainebleau, France, and the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University. He holds three patents in support of various electronic warfare techniques and developments.

Active in the community, Pitts serves on the Board of Trustees for the Maryland Science Center and is a member of the McDaniel College Corporate Advisory Council. He has served on the University of Maryland Board of Visitors, the United Way of Central Maryland Board of Directors and the Johns Hopkins National Advisory Council.

Northrop Grumman's Baltimore-based Electronic Systems sector is a world leader in the design, development and manufacture of defense and commercial electronic systems, including airborne radars, navigation systems, electronic countermeasures, precision weapons, airspace management systems, communications systems, space systems, marine systems, oceanic and naval systems, government systems, and logistics services. 

  CONTACT:  Jack Martin, Jr.
          Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems 
          (410) 765-4441
          jm.martin@ngc.com