higher resolution image The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (U.S. Navy Photo)

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - June 21, 2004 - Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) was awarded a $35.6 million contract from the U.S. Navy for planning work on the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73).

Northrop Grumman's Newport News sector is the prime contractor for the program and will continue pre-arrival tasks on this contract that include scheduling; engineering and design work; material procurement; shop pre-fabrication; ship checks; and personnel training to support the Dry Dock Planned Incremental Availability, scheduled for 2005 at the Newport News shipyard. This contract is a modification to an existing contract awarded last December.

"This is the first time George Washington has been back at Newport News since we delivered her in 1992," said Bob Gunter, senior vice president of the Aircraft Carrier Program at Northrop Grumman Newport News. “Work has been underway for several months. We're looking forward to the ship's arrival and the successful execution of the project."

USS George Washington (CVN 73) is the sixth nuclear-powered Nimitz-class aircraft carrier built by Northrop Grumman Newport News. It was launched in 1990 and delivered to the Navy in 1992. The George Washington is 1,092 feet with a flight deck width of 252 feet and a displacement of 97,000 tons. It can travel in excess of 30 knots.

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 19,000 people.