Northrop Grumman Announces $184 Million Advance Procurement Contract for Tenth San Antonio (LPD 17) Class Amphibious Ship

Defense News: PASCAGOULA, Miss., April 30, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The U.S. Navy awarded a $184 million cost plus fixed-fee advance procurement contract modification to Northrop GrummanCorporation (NYSE:NOC - News) that will provide long lead materials for LPD 26, the tenth amphibious transport dock ship of the USS San Antonio (LPD 17) class.

USS San Antonio

A photo accompanying this release is available at:http://media.globenewswire.com/noc/mediagallery.html?pkgid=6316

The funds will be used to purchase long lead time materials and major equipment in support of the new ship, such as main engines and diesel generators and other equipment including electrical switchboards, deck equipment and fire extinguishing systems.

The work will be performed at the company's Gulf Coast facilities. This is the second advance procurement contract for LPD 26.

"Northrop Grumman Shipbuilders are committed to building a high quality ship -- the 10^th in this strong class of amphibs for the U.S. Navy," said Tim Farrell, vice president and program manager of the LPD program forNorthrop Grumman Shipbuilding--Gulf Coast. "This procurement contract enables us to continue our focus on effective and efficient supply chain management through the advanced purchase of essential material that will help us meet our schedule commitments with our Navy customer."

The ten ships of the LPD 17 class are a key element of the Navy's ability to project power ashore. Collectively, these ships functionally replace over 41 ships (LPD 4, LSD 36, LKA 113, and LST 1179 classes of amphibious ships) providing the Navy and Marine Corps with modern, sea-based platforms that are networked, survivable, and built to operate with 21st Century platforms, such as the MV-22 Osprey and the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV).

The LPD 17-class ships are 684 feet long, 105 feet wide and displace approximately 25,000 tons. Their principal mission is to deploy the combat and support elements of Marine Expeditionary Units and Brigades. The ship can carry up to 800 troops and have the capability of transporting and debarking air cushion (LCAC) or conventional landing craft and EFVs, augmented by helicopters or vertical take-off and landing aircraft such as the MV-22. These ships will support amphibious assault, special operations, or expeditionary warfare missions through the first half of the 21st Century.

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:

Bill Glenn
Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding
(228) 935-3972
william.glenn@ngc.com

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