MELBOURNE, Fla., Nov. 9, 2011 -- Northrop Grumman's (NYSE:NOC) E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS) logistics team, integrated with the U.S. Air Force's C2ISR Aerospace Sustainment Directorate at Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, Ga., has received the 2011 Performance-Based Logistics Award from the Secretary of Defense. The award recognizes those demonstrating outstanding achievement in providing warfighters with exceptional operational capability.

The Joint STARS program team received the System Level Beck Award for integrating and executing a complex, innovative and effective product support strategy.

"Implementing measurable results is how we will continue to be recognized for best-in-class support and modernization," said Jim Zortman, Aerospace Systems sector vice president, Life-Cycle Logistics and Support. "We are committed to working with the Department of Defense to develop proactive solutions that are in the best interest of national security and U.S. taxpayers."

Superior material availability and reliability performance have allowed Joint STARS to support numerous operations with outstanding mission effectiveness. Proactive approaches in systems engineering, footprint reduction and obsolescence management have contributed to this high level of product support. In addition, due to a close logistics partnership, the U.S. Air Force has been able to recognize a reduction of Joint STARS ownership costs.

"Northrop Grumman has provided world class sustainment support to the warfighter for over 10 years through our Total System Support Responsibility (TSSR) initiative," said Tom Belisle, director of Joint STARS Support and TSSR program manager. "Through responsive, comprehensive and integrated support, the TSSR team has ensured mission success for Joint STARS both at its main operating base and, more significantly, at forward operating locations."Â

The TSSR team effectively supports the U.S. Air Force from Warner Robins, Melbourne, Fla., and Lake Charles, La.

Performance-Based Logistics is the strategy implemented by the Department of Defense to improve weapon system readiness by obtaining life cycle product support of weapon systems, subsystems and components as an integrated package based on output measures, such as material availability, material reliability and reduced ownership cost.

To date, Joints STARS has accumulated over 70,000 combat hours supporting operations, including ongoing support to Operation New Dawn over Iraq, Operation Enduring Freedom over Afghanistan and Operation Odyssey Dawn over Libya.

Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide. Please visit www.northropgrumman.com for more information. 

  CONTACT: Amy Akmal
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         Gregory B. Harland
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