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Northrop Grumman Stands Ready to Support Air Force Tanker Decision

Written by thomas · Filed Under Aeronautics News 

June 25, 2008

thomas

GAO Analysis Does Not Alter the Air Force Finding that the KC-45 is the
Superior Tanker

WASHINGTON, June 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Northrop Grumman
Corporation (NYSE: NOC) said, today, that it continues to support the
United States Air Force and looks forward to its next steps regarding the
direction of the KC-45 tanker program. This follows today’s public release
of the full Government Accountability Office (GAO) analysis of the original
tanker contract award to Northrop Grumman.

“The document makes clear that the GAO’s issues with the contract do
not reflect on the tankers’ capabilities. In fact, in several areas key to
the selection decision the GAO found no basis to object to the Air Force
evaluation,” said Paul Meyer, Northrop Grumman vice president of Air
Mobility Systems and KC-45 program manager. “We look forward to a prompt
assessment from the Air Force concerning what happens next.”

On Feb. 29, the Air Force selected Northrop Grumman to provide the next
generation of aerial refueling tanker, the KC-45. The Air Force has an
urgent need to replace its aging tanker fleet.

“The KC-45 is needed now, and Northrop Grumman is ready now to provide
it,” said Meyer. “Should the Air Force choose to proceed with our existing
contract, we are ready to get to work. Northrop Grumman offered the
superior tanker and nothing in the GAO analysis contradicts this essential
truth.

“Northrop Grumman remains the only company in this competition that has
built, tested and flown its plane. In addition, our refueling boom has just
completed its 100th flight test. At this point, our competitor has offered
only a paper plane,” Meyer said. “For our men and women in uniform, the
most important thing is to field the new tanker as soon as possible. Only
Northrop Grumman is ready to do that.”

About the KC-45

The KC-45 Tanker aircraft will be assembled in Mobile, Ala. —
establishing Mobile as the new cornerstone of the Southern Aerospace
Corridor. The program will employ 48,000 American workers at 230 U.S.
companies in 49 states; and will be built by a world-class industrial team
led by Northrop Grumman, and includes EADS North America, General Electric
Aviation and Sargent Fletcher.

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

SOURCE Northrop Grumman Corporation

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