BETHPAGE, N.Y., Aug. 18, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- A Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) team recently visited India to survey that nation's high-technology industrial base as well as related industries. The company is seeking suppliers of components and capabilities that could be used in the company's Hawkeye 2000 aircraft, should India's navy choose to procure these airborne early warning and battle-management aircraft.
The site surveys included initial discussions with members of Indian industry. There will be additional visits in the coming months. The company hopes the effort will lead to broadened relationships with Indian high-technology companies in the near future.
"Northrop Grumman has long recognized the ability of Indian industry to produce world-class defense equipment and services," said Timothy Farrell, vice president and leader of Northrop Grumman's integrated product team on airborne early warning programs. "But, until recently, U.S. companies have been restricted from discussing ways of working with them. While we cannot name the specific companies at this time, our team did meet with several who have the potential to add value to the Hawkeye 2000."
In 2004 the Indian government asked the United States government for information about airborne early warning fixed-winged aircraft. The U.S. Navy and Northrop Grumman provided price and availability information for newly configured, export-compliant Hawkeye 2000s with a fully integrated logistics-support package. The company also demonstrated the Hawkeye's capabilities to India's leadership during this year's AeroIndia air show in Bangalore, India.
Northrop Grumman's Hawkeye 2000, the premier U.S. airborne-surveillance and battle-management aircraft, is the only such aircraft in the world that has been in production for decades and will be in production for years to come. While designed for military operations, Hawkeyes are also used as airborne control centers during natural disasters. Several years ago, for example, a severe hurricane struck the East Coast of the United States, causing extensive damage and flooding. Navy Reserve Hawkeyes were used to manage rescue efforts during the emergency.
Northrop Grumman Integrated Systems is a premier aerospace and defense systems-integration organization. Headquartered in El Segundo, Calif., it designs, develops, produces and supports network-enabled integrated systems and subsystems optimized for use in networks. For its government and civil customers worldwide, Integrated Systems delivers best-value solutions, products and services that support military and homeland defense missions in the areas of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; space access; battle management command and control; and integrated strike warfare.