Northrop Grumman Announces Customer Order for 500th LITENING Advanced Targeting and Sensor Pod

March 26, 2009

ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill., March 26, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Corporation (NYSE:NOC) today announced that the LITENING targeting and sensor pod set another milestone by becoming the first 3rd generation system to book customer orders for over 500 pods.

The company's latest contract win from the Marine Corp and Air National Guard for the LITENING G4 targeting and sensor pods placed the company over the 500 pod threshold. Delivery of these LITENING G4 pods will start in mid 2009.

"100 percent of all target identification for 100 percent of all weapons employed by my squadron was done using LITENING Video Down Link to the JTAC and Ground Commander," said Major Rich Hunt, 104th FS Weapons & Tactics Officer, Air National Guard, Martin State Airfield in Baltimore. "The pod was used constantly to ensure 100 percent positive identification of friendlies and civilians to prevent fratricide and collateral damage. The pod just always worked."

"With 543 total pods fielded or on order, LITENING has become the pod of choice for both U.S. and coalition forces," said Mike Lennon, vice president of Targeting and Surveillance programs at Northrop Grumman's Defensive Systems Division. "Currently, there are more LITENING pods deployed and in use than any other advanced targeting system, providing the warfighter with unprecedented capabilities to survive, prosecute and destroy the enemy."

LITENING Advanced Targeting (AT) pods have proven their combat capabilities and inherent flexibility to adapt to changing operational requirements. Rapid integration on a wide variety of aircraft (AV-8B, A-10A/C, B-52H, EA-6Bs, F-15E, F-16 and F/A-18s) serving all components of the U.S. Air Force (active duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command), the U.S. Marine Corps (active duty and reserves), the Italian and Spanish navies, the , the Royal Australian Air Force, the Royal Air Force, the and the , in addition to the wide fielding of internal data links, are just two examples of the benefits realized by the warfighter. Additionally, LITENING has pioneered such advanced targeting technologies as precisely aligned and stable sensors; coordinated air-to-ground and air-to-air capabilities through laser spot search and track and laser markers; and J-series weapons employment capabilities.

LITENING Gen 4 is the next step in the evolution of the LITENING family and applies the latest in sensor technology to achieve unprecedented levels of target detection, recognition and identification ranges. The LITENING Gen 4 technology and capability is also available in a kit form that allows current LITENING users to upgrade their currently fielded LITENING pods to this new and advanced standard.

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: Ellen Hamilton Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems (224) 625-4693 [email protected]