Northrop Grumman Awarded Contract for Work on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76)

photo by Chris Oxley - higher resolution image The USS Ronald Reagan returned to the shipyard on Dec. 2 for a four and a half month Post Shakedown Availability (PSA).

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Jan. 5, 2004 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) was awarded a contract from the U.S. Navy for work on the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). The contract, valued at $21.4 million, is a modification to a previously awarded contract. Northrop Grumman's Newport News sector is the prime contractor for the award.

The Reagan returned to the shipyard on Dec. 2 for a four and a half month Post Shakedown Availability (PSA), a typical availability in the early life of a carrier that allows the Navy and Newport News team to resolve any items that came up during early cruises and make any last-minute changes and upgrades. Work performed under this contract includes upgrades for the new F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet aircraft. Other changes include a third physical fitness center for sailors, combat system and radar equipment upgrades, and minor repairs.

Named after America's 40th president, Reagan is ninth Nimitz-class aircraft carrier built by Northrop Grumman Newport New. It towers 20 stories above the waterline, and at 1,092 feet long, is nearly as long as the Empire State Building is tall. The ship displaces approximately 95,000 tons of water when afloat. Reagan was christened in March 2001 and delivered to the Navy in June 2003.

Northrop Grumman Newport News, headquartered in Newport News, Va., is the nation's sole designer, builder, and refueler of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and one of only two companies capable of designing and building nuclear powered submarines. Newport News also provides after-market services for a wide array of naval and commercial vessels. The Newport News sector employs about 18,000 people.