Northrop Grumman Corporation’s Mission Systems
sector was awarded a $181 million contract last week to
continue full-rate production of the ICBM Guidance Replacement
Program (GRP), which is upgrading the guidance-system electronics
in the Minuteman III missile to extend its service life
through 2020.

This is the fourth of eight production awards from the U.S.
Air Force ICBM Systems Project Office at Hill Air Force
Base, Utah. The total value of the GRP Program to the ICBM
Prime teams is $1.57 billion.

“This announcement culminates more than $1 billion in various
awards to Northrop Grumman’s ICBM team this year, greatly
expanding our prime role and endorsing the results of excellent
performance,” said Dr. Donald C. Winter, Northrop Grumman
corporate vice president and president of its Mission Systems
sector based in Reston, Va. “I am proud of our longstanding
relationship with the Air Force on the ICBM program where
close coordination and a dedicated team effort have resulted
in an extremely successful program.”

Northrop Grumman’s teammate, Boeing Electronic Systems Missile
Defense, Anaheim, Calif., produces the missile guidance
sets for the GRP. Honeywell Space Systems Division, Clearwater,
Fla., is a major subcontractor to Boeing and provides the
system’s computer.

“In addition to GRP and other longstanding modernization
programs – part of a $6 billion, 15-year effort, Northrop
Grumman is now upgrading launch control centers, transferring
Peacekeeper warheads to existing Minuteman III missiles,
and modernizing communications equipment. As we cap our
fifth year managing the nation’s force of 500 Minuteman
III missiles, we will continue meeting milestones to take
the ICBM program forward,” said Winter.

Another key life-extension effort proceeding this year is
the Propulsion Replacement Program, which entered its second
year of full-rate production with an October award of $224
million. Northrop Grumman also manages the Propulsion System
Rocket Engine Life Extension Program, awarded in 2001, which
will refurbish the liquid propulsion stage of the Minuteman
III missile.

In addition to Northrop Grumman’s annual sustainment award
in October for $135 million, new modernization efforts awarded
this year include the Safety Enhanced Reentry Vehicle Program,
awarded in April for $170 million, which transfers Peacekeeper
reentry vehicles onto the Minuteman III to enhance the safety
and maintain reliability of the reentry vehicle; the Rapid
Execution and Combat Targeting Service Life Extension Program
worth $65 million to upgrade the launch command centers;
and the Minuteman Minimum Essential Emergency Communication
Network program worth $46 million to upgrade launch control
communications.

Prior to the ICBM prime role, Northrop Grumman served as
systems engineering and technical advisor to the Air Force
helping it manage the ICBM fleet for almost 45 years. Under
this arrangement, the ICBM System Project Office directed
a number of associate contractors that provided various
elements of the ICBM system.

Today, Northrop Grumman serves as prime contractor, working
closely with the Air Force and leading a team comprised
of our nation’s core ICBM industrial base.

Northrop Grumman Corporation is a $25 billion global defense
company, headquartered in Los Angeles, Calif. Northrop Grumman
provides technologically advanced, innovative products,
services and solutions in systems integration, defense electronics,
information technology, advanced aircraft, shipbuilding
and space technology. With approximately 120,000 employees
and operations in all 50 states and 25 countries, Northrop
Grumman serves U.S. and international military, government
and commercial customers.