SAN DIEGO, Nov. 5, 2009 -- Two Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) employees received the Star Award from the U.S. Army and the Boeing leadership team for their outstanding contributions to the former Future Combat Systems program. The Star Award is granted to individuals who fulfill numerous criteria that illustrate how their accomplishments exceed their regular work assignments or job expectations.

Al Nikolaus, MQ-8B Fire Scout Deputy Program Manager, and Mike Roberts, MQ-8B Fire Scout Class IV UAV Chief Engineer for Northrop Grumman's Aerospace Systems sector were recognized for meeting the award's criteria, which cover areas of ethics and integrity, teamwork, respect and concern for others, open and honest communication, meeting commitments, positive attitude, realism, working hard, and enjoying their work journey.

"Mike Roberts is continually called upon for input and technical solutions to the most difficult of problems," said Joe Emerson, MQ-8B Fire Scout, Class IV UAV program director for Northrop Grumman's Aerospace Systems sector. "His drive to give the warfighter the best available resources from industry to perform their mission is a testament to his ethical values and integrity. He is capable of building a rapport with his peers which fosters effective communications in many technical discussions regarding the program."

"Al Nikolaus contributes a skill set to the team that is expansive and based on over four years on the Class IV program," said Joe Emerson. "His commitment to the program has resounded through the team and when there is a commitment made by Al he will do everything he can to meet it."

Nikolaus and Roberts each have more than 20 years of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) experience including work on groundbreaking programs such as Global Hawk and MQ-8B Fire Scout.

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. 

  CONTACT: Sherri Pineda
         Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems
         (858) 618-4556
         Sherri.pineda@ngc.com