Northrop Grumman Awarded $206 Million Support and Sustainment Contract for Defense Support Program

Northrop Grumman Awarded $206 Million Support and Sustainment Contract for Defense Support Program

REDONDO BEACH, Calif., Oct. 23, 2008 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) was awarded a contract by the United States Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center to provide technical support for the operational Defense Support Program (DSP) spacecraft, primary infrared sensor and mission analysis.

The cost plus award fee contract is valued at $206 million, which includes the initial year followed by four one-year options.

"DSP has provided the nation with robust and reliable early warning and auxiliary mission capabilities for nearly 40 years," said Fred Ricker, vice president of Military Systems Division for Northrop Grumman's Space Technology sector. "We look forward to continuing our partnership with the Air Force on this vital national asset."

"Mission analysis of the infrared sensor data from the DSP constellation continues to be outstanding," said Joseph J. Ensor, vice president and general manager of Space and ISR Systems Division for Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems sector. "We expect DSP to keep providing this analysis, and remain one of our nation's primary 'eyes in the sky' for years to come."

Northrop Grumman built the DSP infrared sensors in Azusa, Calif. and integrated them with the DSP spacecraft in Redondo Beach, Calif. The DSP support and sustainment will continue at both sites. The first DSP was launched in 1970 and the final DSP was orbited in 2007.

The spacecraft and sensor were upgraded several times throughout production to protect against evolving worldwide threats. DSP satellites have demonstrated exceptional reliability on-orbit, providing an extra 173 satellite-years in on-orbit to date.

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