CLEARFIELD, Utah, June 29, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC), as part of a team led by the U.S. Air Force, has won the 2004 Brent Scowcroft Air Force Association Award for outstanding performance on one of several key life extension programs for the Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) weapon system
The program, called the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Rapid Execution and Combat Targeting Service Life Extension Program (REACT SLEP), is managed by Northrop Grumman, the ICBM prime contractor, and will ensure the viability of the system through 2020.
The annual Scowcroft awards, which began in 1989 by the Northern Utah Air Force Association Chapter, recognize the best individual and team performers within the ICBM, space, and C3I communities. The awards are named in honor of retired national security advisor and Air Force Lt. Gen. Brent Scowcroft who lead the Scowcroft Commission chartered by President Ronald Reagan to map out the future of America's ICBM force.
"The U.S. Air Force/Industry ICBM REACT team has kept the program on schedule throughout development and into production, consistently earning outstanding performance citations," said John Clay, vice president and program manager for Northrop Grumman's ICBM program. "The success of this group can be attributed to the integrated product team approach that fosters frequent and open communications across the entire team and serves as a model for other programs to emulate. Their rigorous quality control processes ensure that the warfighter is operating a reliable, quality system."
The REACT team was recognized for actions to improve processes and end-item quality, innovative approach and cost-savings suggestions; outstanding ideas relative to technology insertion; and sustained outstanding job performance. Principal teammates on the REACT program include Lockheed Martin Mission Systems of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Boeing's BMC3 & Strategic Systems of Anaheim, Calif.
REACT is a $118 million program employing 124 government and contractor personnel who support the Air Force's 50 Minuteman III ICBM launch control centers, which are manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week by the warfighter. This support includes upgrading the antiquated command and control hardware, software, and support equipment, and replacing aging electronic assemblies in the centers that control the nation's fleet of 500 Minuteman III missiles.
Northrop Grumman Mission Systems sector is the Air Force's ICBM prime integration contractor charged with maintaining readiness of the United States' ICBM weapon system through 2020. In addition, Northrop Grumman is managing more than 10 modernization efforts to maintain the viability of the ICBM fleet. This 15-year program, which began in December 1997, is currently valued at $4.5 billion with a total projected value of $6 billion. Northrop Grumman manages a team consisting of four principal teammates and more than 20 subcontractors.
Northrop Grumman Mission Systems, based in Reston, Va., is a global integrator of complex, mission-enabling systems and services for defense, intelligence and civil government markets. The sector's technology leadership and expertise spans areas such as strategic systems, including ICBMs; missile defense; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; command and control; and technical services and training.
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