Northrop Grumman Submits Its Proposal To U.S. Air Force For The KC-135 Tanker Replacement Program, KC-X

Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) announced today that it has submitted its proposal to the U.S. Air Force for the KC-135 Tanker Replacement Program, KC-X. The proposal was submitted before the required proposal due date of April 12, 2007.

Northrop Grumman is leading a team of major global aerospace suppliers offering the KC-30 Tanker to the U.S Air Force to replace its aging fleet of KC-135 tankers. The KC-30 Tanker is based upon the highly reliable, modern, and commercially available A330 platform; it will be assembled in Mobile, Ala. The A330 platform was selected in the last three worldwide tanker competitions to support the air forces of Australia, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates.

“As a global leader in innovative systems, products, and solutions, Northrop Grumman keeps sight of the vision that drives us -- to be the most trusted provider of systems and technologies that ensure the security and freedom of our nation and its allies. The KC-30 Tanker embodies our commitment to that vision,” said Ronald D. Sugar, Northrop Grumman chairman and chief executive officer.

“The competition to build the KC-X is as much a competition of vision as it is of aircraft,” said Scott J. Seymour, corporate vice president and president of Northrop Grumman Integrated Systems sector. “The KC-30 Tanker will provide our Air Force leaders and combatant commanders everything they have asked for in air-to-air refueling and more. More refueling capacity, more versatility against an uncertain future; more capability and more value per aircraft. Northrop Grumman and its KC-30 Tanker Team are in this competition to win it.”

The KC-30 proposal submission represents over two and-a-half years of dedicated effort by the Northrop Grumman-led KC-30 Tanker Team. Over 300 representatives of Northrop Grumman, EADS, General Electric, Sargent Fletcher, Honeywell and other KC-30 tanker suppliers have combined their global and national expertise in systems integration, commercial aircraft conversion and production, air refueling, avionics and survivability systems, to design the best-value tanker solution for the US Air Force. The result is a KC-30 tanker that meets or exceeds Air Force requirements for every key performance parameter far better than any competitor.

Northrop Grumman’s KC-30 Tanker carries 45,000 more pounds of fuel than a KC-135, providing a significant boost to the U.S. Air Force’s global reach. The KC-30 is also designed to refuel Navy and coalition aircraft, and to serve as a multi-role transport aircraft to move passengers, cargo and medical evacuation patients. The KC-30 incorporates defense systems, precision fly-by-wire technology, and the ability to integrate a communications suite and a global support network.