APOPKA, Fla., June 11, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has received a contract from the U.S. Army to provide over 150 of the company's battle-proven Lightweight Laser Designator Rangefinder (LLDR) systems that provide targeting capability for laser-guided, GPS-guided and conventional munitions.

This $53 million delivery order is part of a previously awarded $336 million indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract for lightweight laser designator rangefinder components. Work will be performed in Apopka, Fla., and is expected to be completed by 2010.

"We are cognizant of the fact that the LLDR is being used by the Army on a daily basis in mission critical situations," said Gordon Stewart, vice president and general manager of the company's Laser Systems business unit. "Knowing this not only creates a sense of pride, but also a real sense of urgency among our employees because they understand and appreciate the requirement to provide highly reliable, precision targeting systems to our warfighters who need them on the battlefield right now."

Northrop Grumman's LLDR accurately targets enemy positions during the day, at night and in nearly all battlefield conditions including haze, smoke, fog and rain. It provides a unique capability to forward observers and forward air controllers. The system can recognize targets; find the range to a target with an eye-safe laser wavelength; and calculate grid coordinates with built-in GPS, elevation and azimuth sensing capability. The system then provides this information to other digital battlefield systems. The LLDR can also be used with semi-active laser-guided munitions and laser spot trackers.

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: Mark Blackington
         Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems
         (321) 354-3790
         mark.blackington@ngc.com