Northrop Grumman Delivers SBIRS GEO-2 Payload to Lockheed Martin

AZUSA, Calif., April 20, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation
(NYSE:NOC), the payload integrator for the Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS),
the nation's next-generation missile warning system, has delivered the second
geosynchronous orbit (GEO) payload to prime contractor Lockheed Martin
(NYSE:LMT) for integration into the spacecraft and final system-level testing.

The payload will be installed on the GEO-2 spacecraft, which will fly in
geostationary orbit around the Earth. The U.S. Air Force SBIRS program is
designed to provide early warning of missile launches and simultaneously support
other missions including missile defense, technical intelligence and battlespace
awareness.

"This delivery marks another successful milestone in bringing the SBIRS
constellation closer to fulfillment," said Joseph J. Ensor, vice president and
general manager of Northrop Grumman's Space and ISR Systems Division. "Getting
the GEO sensors on orbit, and operating together with the two HEO sensors that
are now delivering superb data to the user community, will greatly enhance the
quality of information available to theater commanders and others."

The GEO-2 payload consists of both a scanning sensor and a staring sensor, along
with other key spacecraft subsystems and electronics including a pointing and
control assembly (PCA). The scanning sensor is designed for continuous
observation and surveillance of traditional intercontinental ballistic missile
threats, and will have performance similar to the highly elliptical orbit (HEO)
sensors already on orbit. The staring sensor is designed to detect very low
signature, short-burn-duration theater missiles and other transient events of
interest. Together, the sensors contain nearly one million detector elements in
their two focal planes.

The PCA is a major subsystem of the GEO-2 payload developed by Lockheed Martin.
It uses highly agile, precisely pointed mirrors to allow the spacecraft's
optical telescopes to scan and stare at designated areas, enabling operators to
modify the areas of surveillance according to national priorities.

This key program milestone closely follows an extensive thermal vacuum testing
program conducted by Northrop Grumman earlier this year which demonstrated all
four SBIRS mission areas: missile warning; theater missile warning and defense;
technical intelligence; and battlespace awareness. The GEO-2 payload was
exercised over the full range of backgrounds, including severe infrared clutter
conditions that the payload might see when observing Earth, and multiple point
sources representing targets in flight. Full interconnected and cross-strapped
redundancies were tested through six thermal cycles, from on-orbit cold to
on-orbit hot. Throughout the testing, the demonstrated excellent performance.

"Delivery of this sophisticated payload is a major milestone for the team and
another critical step forward in our objective to deploy the SBIRS constellation
for the warfighter," said Jeff Smith, Lockheed Martin's SBIRS vice president and
program manager. "We look forward to the successful integration of the payload
into the GEO-2 space vehicle and the broader SBIRS System, providing end-to-end
mission success for our customer."

During the integration and test phase, Lockheed Martin will demonstrate and test
all interfaces, command structures, control and function of the combined payload
and spacecraft. The GEO-2 satellite is scheduled for launch in 2011.

Lockheed Martin's current SBIRS contract includes the two HEO payloads now
on-orbit, two GEO satellites, as well as ground-based assets to receive and
process the infrared data. The program is in the process of adding additional
GEO spacecraft and HEO payloads to the planned constellation.

The SBIRS team is led by the Space Based Infrared Systems Wing at the U.S. Air
Force Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif.
Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, Sunnyvale, Calif., is the SBIRS prime
contractor, with Northrop Grumman's Electronic Systems sector, Azusa, Calif., as
the payload integrator. Air Force Space Command operates the SBIRS system.

Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security company whose 120,000
employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in aerospace,
electronics, information systems, shipbuilding and technical services to
government and commercial customers worldwide.

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CONTACT: Tom Delaney
Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems
(410) 993-6454
thomas.delaney@ngc.com