PASCAGOULA, Miss., May 8, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Today the U.S. Coast Guard accepted delivery of the first Northrop Grumman Corporation-built (NYSE:NOC) National Security Cutter (NSC), Bertholf (WMSL 750) -- the most technologically advanced ship in U.S. Coast Guard history. Officials representing the company's Shipbuilding sector, U.S. Coast Guard and partner Lockheed Martin signed the official DD-250 documents, signifying the delivery of the ship.

Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding, the newly-formed sector of Northrop Grumman Corporation, is made up of the former Northrop Grumman Ship Systems and Newport News shipbuilding entities.

Photos accompanying this release are available at http://media.primezone.com/noc/

"Our shipbuilding team faced a number of challenges in designing and building this first-of-class ship. We've worked through the issues and the Coast Guard is getting a great capability to meet their mission requirements," said Irwin F. Edenzon, vice president and general manager of Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding - Gulf Coast. "We're proud of the final product and look forward to building more NSCs in the future."

Bertholf is the first ship in the new class of highly capable, technologically advanced, multi-mission cutters. The NSC was built through the Deepwater Program under contract from Integrated Coast Guard Systems, a joint venture of Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin.

"The high endurance cutter will provide an unprecedented platform for cuttermen who will no doubt be navigating a ship that is ready to serve," said Richard Schenk, vice president of U.S. Coast Guard programs. "Wherever Bertholf sails, she will carry a Northrop Grumman quality stamp born from the commitment and determination of our shipbuilders. This will be the flagship of the U.S. Coast Guard's fleet."

The NSC is a 418-foot vessel with a 4,300 ton displacement at full load and is powered by a combined diesel and gas turbine power propulsion plant driving twin screws with a maximum speed of over 28 knots. The cutter includes an aft launch and recovery area for two rigid hull inflatable boats, an expansive flight deck able to accommodate a range of rotary wing manned and unmanned aircraft and state-of-the-art command and control systems. In addition, the cutter features improved habitability, and a design to facilitate optimized crewing and enhance onboard quality of life for a mixed gender crew.

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.