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Florida Employees, Suppliers and Elected Officials Turn Out to Support the U.S. Air Force KC-45 Tanker Program At Northrop Grumman's Tanker Headquarters

KC-45 Tanker Program Will Create Hundreds of Florida Jobs, 48,000 Jobs Across America

MELBOURNE, Fla. - May 29, 2008 - More than 1,000 Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) employees, Space Coast-area elected officials and supplier company officials turned out at Northrop Grumman's Melbourne facility today to support America's New Tanker, the U.S. Air Force KC-45.

"This program is a big win for the aerospace industry here in Florida, creating hundreds of new jobs and opportunities for our workforce and their families," said Congressman Dave Weldon, one of several officials who spoke at the event. "Good paying aerospace jobs are vital to the health of our economy and our communities, and the KC-45 Tanker program ensures that tradition continues for decades to come."

The company's headquarters for KC-45 program management and engineering will be located in Melbourne for the life of the multi-year program. Eight Florida companies will provide parts, systems or services to Northrop Grumman in support of the KC-45 Tanker program, creating nearly 1,600 jobs and generating additional economic activity approaching $100 million throughout the state.

The U.S. Air Force found Northrop Grumman's bid to build the next-generation of aerial refueling tankers superior to Boeing's offering. Despite this fact, the losing bidder wants the Government Accountability Office to overturn the Air Force decision to award the contract to Northrop Grumman.

"The KC-45 Tanker program team here in Melbourne spent several years working to offer a superior product, and winning this program is a huge accomplishment -- for our Air Force, for our company and for our community here in Melbourne," said Paul Meyer, Northrop Grumman vice president of Air Mobility Systems and general manager of the KC-45 Tanker program. "Northrop Grumman has been a leader in the Space Coast aerospace industry for decades, and being selected to build 179 tanker aircraft is yet another opportunity to deliver a superior aircraft while creating 48,000 American jobs across the country. We're extremely proud of this win and we're ready to get to work."

Northrop Grumman currently employs nearly 5,000 Floridians throughout the state, and the KC-45 Tanker supply chain employs more than 3,100 workers. In 2007, Northrop Grumman's economic impact in the state was $434 million.

About the KC-45

The KC-45 Tanker aircraft will be assembled in Mobile, Ala. -- establishing Mobile as the new cornerstone of the Southern Aerospace Corridor. The program will employ 48,000 American workers at 230 U.S. companies in 49 states; and will be built by a world-class industrial team led by Northrop Grumman, and includes EADS North America, General Electric Aviation and Sargent Fletcher.

Northrop Grumman Corporation is a global defense and technology company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in information and services, electronics, aerospace and shipbuilding to government and commercial customers worldwide.

CONTACT:  Randy Belote
          (703) 875-8525
          randy.belote@ngc.com

          Tim Paynter
          (321) 961-1101
          tim.paynter@ngc.com