MATTHEW J. MULHERIN APPOINTED DIRECTOR OF CVNX PROGRAM AT NEWPORT NEWS SHIPBUILDING

NEWPORT NEWS, Va., August 17, 2000 – Newport News Shipbuilding (NYSE: NNS) announced the appointment of Matthew (Matt) J. Mulherin to director, CVNX Program. In this position, Mulherin is responsible for the company’s design and development efforts for the U.S. Navy's new generation of aircraft carriers, CVNX.

Mulherin will report to NNS Executive Vice President and COO Tom Schievelbein who said, "Designing a new class of carriers for the Navy is one of the company's most exciting and challenging opportunities. Matt will lead this important initiative and direct the combined propulsion and ship efforts in a single program focused on providing an innovative and cost effective solution to our customer."

Mulherin joined Newport News Shipbuilding in 1981 as a nuclear test engineer. He has been promoted to increasingly responsible positions to include Nuclear Project manager for Los Angeles class submarines; director, Facilities; director, Nuclear Engineering and Refueling; and director, Carrier Overhaul and Refueling. A resident of York County, Mulherin received a bachelor's of science degree in Civil Engineering from Virginia Tech in 1981.

The CVNX class of aircraft carriers will serve as the Navy's new generation of carriers. The final Nimitz-class carrier, CVN 77, with a scheduled delivery date of 2008, will be a transition ship to the new class. The first ship of the new class, CVNX1, is scheduled for delivery in 2013. This ship will have a newly designed propulsion plant and electrical distribution system. It will also have an electromagnetic aircraft launch system. Newport News Shipbuilding is focused on enhancing ship capabilities and affordability for both CVN 77 and the future class of carriers.

Newport News Shipbuilding designs and constructs nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines for the U.S. Navy and provides life-cycle services for ships in the Navy fleet. The company employs nearly 17,000 people and has annual revenues of approximately $2 billion. Visit NNS on the Web at www.nns.com.