Avaya Federal Solutions to Provide Shipboard Communications for U.S. Navy's Next-Generation Aircraft Carrier

BASKING RIDGE, NJ--(Marketwire - September 8, 2008) - Avaya Federal Solutions, Inc. today announced it is providing communications for the USS Gerald R. Ford, the U.S. Navy's next-generation aircraft carrier. Currently under construction by Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding, the Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) represents the lead ship of a new class of aircraft carriers. The ship is expected to deliver in 2015.

Avaya Federal Solutions is a wholly owned subsidiary of Avaya, a global leader in business communications applications systems and services.

The Avaya solution for the Gerald R. Ford is based on Avaya Communication Manager 4.0 telephony software running on high-reliability Avaya servers, voice messaging, audio conferencing, more than 1500 telephones plus tactical terminals from L3 Communications.

Requirements for voice systems installed on these ships include rigorous testing and certification for security, interoperability and resiliency, plus simultaneous support of legacy and advanced communications protocols and architectures.

To meet these requirements, all components of the Avaya solution for shipboard communications must be certified by the U.S. Department of Defense - Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) Joint Interoperability Test Command (JITC). In addition, Grade A Shock Testing -- a requirement of the U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command -- subjected an active Avaya communications network to a series of detonations simulating underwater explosions, which was monitored for continuity of operations and maintenance of integrity at every step.

The Avaya solution enables Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding to simultaneously support traditional telephony features and interfaces to legacy shipboard systems while also offering modern communications protocols and architectures, such as Voice over IP (VoIP), Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), and Service Oriented Architecture (SOA).

Avaya voice solutions are installed on more than 80 ships of the U.S. Navy fleet, including all the U.S. Navy's aircraft carriers, large deck amphibious platforms (LHA and LHD), and a number of submarines, and Military Sealift Command support vessels. Avaya Intelligent Communications also currently support more than 200,000 shore personnel across more than 75 Navy and Marine Corps bases and major commands and installations.

The Avaya solution for the Gerald R. Ford is being provided under contract to Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding, the only shipyard in the U.S. capable of building nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.

About Avaya

Avaya delivers Intelligent Communications solutions that help companies transform their businesses to achieve marketplace advantage. More than 1 million businesses worldwide, including more than 90 percent of the FORTUNE 500®, use Avaya solutions for IP Telephony, Unified Communications, Contact Centers and Communications Enabled Business Processes. Avaya Global Services provides comprehensive service and support for companies, small to large. For more information visit the Avaya Web site: http://www.avaya.com.

About Northrop Grumman

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.

About the Gerald Ford Class Carriers

The Gerald R. Ford Class will be the premier forward asset for crisis response and early decisive striking power in a major combat operation. The Gerald R. Ford Class and the Carrier Strike Group will provide forward presence, rapid response, endurance on station, and multi-mission capability. The Gerald R. Ford Class balances improved warfighting capability, quality of life improvements for our Sailors and reduced acquisition and life cycle costs. When completed, the USS Gerald R. Ford will rise 20 stories above water level and able to sail the oceans for 20 years without refueling. The ship will feature a multitude of improvements over existing aircraft carriers, all designed to improve the combat capability of our carrier fleet while simultaneously reducing acquisition and life cycle costs. The ship will carry approximately 75 aircraft and 4,700 crew members.

Contact Information: Contact: Deb Kline Avaya Media Relations 908-953-6179 klined@avaya.com