Northrop Grumman Awarded $24.6 Million Planning and Design Contract for
CVN 79, Second Ship of CVN 78-Class Aircraft Carrier

Northrop Grumman received a $24.6 million planning and design contract for CVN 79, the second aircraft carrier of the CVN 78 Class. Higher Resolution Image

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Nov. 15, 2006 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) received a $24.6 million planning and design contract for CVN 79, the second aircraft carrier of the CVN 78 Class.

The company’s Newport News sector will perform the work, which includes planning, feasibility studies, system development, engineering services and other design efforts.

“This is our first contract for the CVN 79 and an important step forward for the CVN 78 program,” said Mike Shawcross, the vice president responsible for CVN 79 at Northrop Grumman’s Newport News sector. “We’re focused on using the work we’ve accomplished on the first ship of the class, CVN 78, as the basis for a successful integration into the planning and design for CVN 79.”

Enhancements being incorporated in the CVN 78 Class design include flight deck changes resulting in increased sortie rates; improved weapons movement; a redesigned island; a new nuclear power plant; increased electrical power generation capacity; allowance for future technologies; and reduced workload for the sailors, translating to a smaller crew size. Construction on CVN 79 is slated to begin in 2012 with delivery to the Navy in 2019.

Northrop Grumman Corporation is a global defense company headquartered in Los Angeles, Calif. Northrop Grumman provides technologically advanced, innovative products, services and solutions in systems integration, defense electronics, information technology, advanced aircraft, shipbuilding and space technology. With more than 120,000 employees and operations in all 50 states and 29 countries, Northrop Grumman serves U.S. and international military, government and commercial customers.