Photo Release -- Key NPOESS Sensor Starts Thermal Vacuum Testing

REDONDO BEACH, Calif., May 19, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A key sensor for the
National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) has
started its final and most critical environmental test at Northrop Grumman
Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) subcontractor, Raytheon Company (NYSE:RTN). NPOESS is
the nation's next generation low Earth orbiting operational weather and climate
monitoring system and will provide timely and essential data to civilian and
military users through 2026.

A photo accompanying this release is available at:
http://media.globenewswire.com/noc/

The Visible Infrared Imager Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) flight unit was placed in a
thermal vacuum chamber, where it will be subject to the extreme hot and cold
cycles typical of the space environment to determine its flight worthiness.
Thermal vacuum testing will be conducted over nearly 100 days to ensure the
sensor will operate in space as designed.

"The NPOESS team has put a tremendous effort into developing this complex
sensor," said Dave Vandervoet, vice president and NPOESS program manager for
Northrop Grumman's Aerospace Systems sector. "This final test will demonstrate
how VIIRS operates in a simulated space environment and verify sensor
performance against key requirements. We'll have a solid understanding of VIIRS
performance at the conclusion of thermal vacuum testing."

"As we enter this final phase of testing, the program is on track to deliver the
VIIRS sensor this fall," said Bill Hart, vice president for Raytheon's Space
Systems group. "During the thermal vacuum test, the sensor will encounter the
extraordinary temperature fluctuations it will experience in space. Testing of
the sensor thus far shows it to be performing as expected and producing
outstanding results."

Working together, the NPOESS Integrated Program Office, Northrop Grumman and
Raytheon have conducted a comprehensive series of tests on VIIRS' engineering
development unit (EDU) and first flight unit over the past several years. The
tests have included:

-- Thermal vacuum testing of the EDU
-- Integrating the EDU onto the NPOESS Preparatory Project spacecraft
to check electrical and mechanical interfaces;
-- Conducting early space-to-ground interface testing on the EDU to
demonstrate data flowed through the sensor to the ground
processing system;
-- Thermal vacuum testing of the cyroradiator in Flight Unit 1;
-- Vibration testing of the Flight 1 hardware;
-- Ambient electrical testing of the Flight Unit 1;
-- Electromagnetic testing of Flight Unit 1.
VIIRS will collect data on atmospheric conditions, Earth radiation, ocean color
and surface temperature in nearly two dozen spectral bands, with high spatial
resolution. VIIRS will produce operational data in color instead of black and
white, enabling military and civilian users to distinctly see features such as
aircraft contrails and dust storms that are challenging to detect with current
sensors.

Raytheon Company, with 2008 sales of $23.2 billion, is a technology and
innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other
government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning
87 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems
integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and
command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad
range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon
employs 73,000 people worldwide.

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.

-0-
CONTACT: Sally Koris
Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems
(310) 812-4721
sally.koris@ngc.com

John Barksdale
Raytheon Co.
(310) 647-8224
john_barksdale@raytheon.com