REDONDO BEACH, Calif., May 20, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) announced today that its Space Technology sector was awarded NASA Goddard Space Flight Center's prestigious Contractor Excellence Award. Northrop Grumman was honored in the large business product category. The award was presented at the 20th Annual Goddard Space Flight Center Quality Symposium held at its headquarters in Greenbelt, Md.
"It's a great honor to receive the Goddard Contractor Excellence Award," said Wes Bush, president of Northrop Grumman Space Technology and keynote speaker at the quality symposium. "I am proud to accept it on behalf of the men and women of Northrop Grumman Space Technology, who worked so hard over the last several years, in close partnership with Goddard, to achieve program, cost and schedule excellence."
As the winner in its category, Northrop Grumman will now be automatically entered into competition for NASA's premier award to the aerospace industry for quality and performance, the George M. Low Award.
"The Contractor Excellence Award gives us the opportunity to recognize contractors who have made a substantial contribution to Goddard's mission and who demonstrate their commitment to continuous improvement through their management practices," said Al Diaz, Goddard Center director.
Applicants for the Contractor Excellence Award must submit evidence of contract performance, customer satisfaction, meeting schedules, controlling costs, quality and productivity improvements, management commitment to continuous improvement, human resource utilization and strategic planning, and long-term research and development.
Northrop Grumman Space Technology has been a partner with Goddard Space Flight Center on a wide range of noteworthy programs for more than 40 years. The sector is currently the prime contractor for the James Webb Space Telescope and two Earth Observing System satellites, Aura and Aqua.
Northrop Grumman Space Technology, based in Redondo Beach, Calif., develops a broad range of systems at the leading edge of space, defense and electronics technology. The sector creates products for U.S. military and civilian customers that contribute significantly to the nation's security and leadership in science and technology.
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