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Thursday March 16, 2000

Northrop Grumman receives $51 million contract for composite work

DALLAS, Texas, USA ( Northrop Grumman Corp. Press Release ) - Northrop Grumman Corporation's Integrated Systems and Aerostructures (ISA) sector has received a three-year contract with options valued at $51 million from The Boeing Company for the fabrication of fuselage skin panels and sub-assemblies on V-22 Tiltrotor aircraft.

The contract, awarded by Boeing Information and Defense Systems' Helicopter Division, is for approximately 12 panel assemblies ranging in size from about two-feet by five-feet to more than 20-feet in length. The aircraft is being developed and manufactured by Boeing and Bell Helicopter.

ISA's Aerostructures business area in Milledgeville, Ga., will perform the work, utilizing the company's new TOW placement machine. This specialized device uses computer numerical controls to allow for the precise placement of carbon fibers (tows) upon rotating tool surfaces for building complex composite structures on the V-22.

``The contract builds on our expertise in high technology bonding developed on other military and commercial programs,'' said Erich Smith, vice president and Integrated Product Team leader-Military Programs. ``This win further highlights the technical reputation that has been established by the workforce at the Milledgeville site.''

According to Bill McKenna, vice president-Southeast Operations, Aerostructures, ``We are excited to have the opportunity to work with the Boeing/Bell Helicopter V-22 team. The proven quality performance of our Milledgeville employees has allowed us to continue to grow our composite business.''

Northrop Grumman's ISA sector, headquartered in Dallas, is a premier aerospace systems integration enterprise. ISA has the capabilities to design, develop, integrate, produce and support complete systems, as well as airframe subsystems, for airborne surveillance and battle management aircraft, early warning aircraft, airborne electronic warfare aircraft, air combat aircraft and commercial aerostructures.

Northrop Grumman Corporation, headquartered in Los Angeles, is a world-class, high technology company providing innovative solutions in systems integration, defense electronics and information technology for its U.S. and international military, government and commercial customers, as a prime contractor, principal subcontractor, team member or preferred supplier. The company had revenues of $9 billion in 1999 and has a workforce of 45,000 employees.

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