AZUSA, Calif., Nov. 17, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE: NOC) Electronic Systems sector has been awarded a $39.4 million contract extension by the U.S. Air Force's Space and Missile Systems Center to continue work on the Defense Support Program (DSP), with an option for an additional $40.5 million. The DSP satellite system reliably detects and reports real-time missile launches, space launches and nuclear detonations, serving as a valuable early-warning system for the nation's defenses. Northrop Grumman has been a prime contractor for DSP at its Azusa facility since the program's inception in 1970.
The contract for fiscal year 2004 encompasses operations, maintenance, postproduction and constellation support for the DSP sensor and engineering mission enhancements. The cost-plus-award-fee contract for follow-on support of the DSP was first awarded to the company in 1996 for one year, with options through 2000. The $40.5 million option is for fiscal year 2005.
"The Northrop Grumman/Air Force team has worked extremely hard for more than 30 years to assure the success of the DSP program," said Sal Romano, vice president of Northrop Grumman's Space Sensor Systems Division. "The close partnership and united commitment to success have made this program a flagship for effective, cooperative management." With operations in Azusa, Baltimore, and Boulder, Colo., the Space Sensor Systems Division provides space borne payload and processing systems in support of missile defense, intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance, weather and environmental applications.
Space Sensor Systems is a component of the company's Baltimore, Md.-based Electronic Systems sector, a world leader in the design, development and manufacture of defense and commercial electronics and systems including airborne radar, navigation systems, electronic countermeasures, precision weapons, air traffic control systems, air defense systems, communication systems, space systems, marine systems, oceanic and naval systems, government systems and logistics services.