Northrop Grumman Leads Middle Eastern ISR Conference; Joint Force Operations, Networked Assets and Data Fusion Drive Agenda

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, January 12 - Tapping into leading intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR)
experts across the United Arab Emirates and its allied partners, senior
military leaders and Northrop Grumman executives (NYSE: NOC) convened the
first Middle Eastern ISR conference of its kind today to discuss the benefits
and challenges of the growing need for more netted ISR assets to help manage
today's threats, particularly in the Gulf region.

A photo accompanying this release is available at:
media.primezone.com/noc/

"Northrop Grumman's participation in the Institute for Near East and Gulf
Military Analysis (INEGMA) Middle East Intelligence, Surveillance and
Reconnaissance conference is significant for several reasons. It is the
signature ISR event supported by the UAE Armed Forces leadership, and when
renowned, high-level international military and industry experts gather to
discuss the challenges and technological solutions within this rapidly
advancing field, it is very beneficial to all who attend," said John Brooks,
president of Northrop Grumman International, Inc. and retired Major General,
U.S. Air Force.

Speakers included Major General Khamees Salem Mohammad Al Mazrahy,
Director of Operations and Training, Office of the Minister of Defense for
Military Affairs, UAE Ministry of Defense; Lieutenant General Michael
Hostage, Commander, U.S. Air Force Central Command; General (Ret.) Khaled
Abdullah Al Bu-Ainnain, Former Commander, UAE Air Force and Air Defense; Rear
Admiral Jean Goursaud, Deputy Director of Military Intelligence, French
Ministry of Defense; General (Ret.) Khaled Abdullah Al Bu-Ainnain, Former
Commander, UAE Air Force and Air Defense; Dr. Mohammed Al Ahbabi, ICT
Advisor, UAE Centre of Excellence; General (Ret.) John Jumper, Former Chief
of Staff of the U.S. Air Force; Brigadier General Nicola Gelao, Head of
Military Intelligence, Italian Ministry of Defense; and Major General (Ret.)
Abdullah Al-Sayed Al-Hashemi, Former Deputy Commander, UAE Air Force and Air
Defense.

"The dialogue between panelists and the audience addressed a variety of
challenges from conventional to irregular warfare, the technologies suited to
meet those mission requirements, and the growing need for more
interoperability and data analysis," Brooks said. "Northrop Grumman
understands how to bring together a variety of technologies from manned and
unmanned systems; communications and surveillance satellites; surveillance
radars; as well as network-centric data processing and dissemination to make
ISR all work seamlessly. That is a great benefit to the UAE and other Gulf
States, and it is why we have a leadership role here today.

"We all recognize how state and non-state actors, and hostile interest
groups are transforming theaters of operation across the globe," Brooks said.
"Northrop Grumman's leadership in developing and integrating advanced ISR
capabilities for its customers can be of critical benefit to the UAE and
members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in helping them to network
their assets to overcome the prevalent and emerging defense and security
challenges in the region. National and regional security in an increasingly
politically volatile region is necessitating more capable surveillance and
reconnaissance capabilities, as well as integration within 'system of
systems' architectures to enable enhanced intelligence-sharing."

Brooks said the UAE derives many benefits from a close working
relationship and partnership with Northrop Grumman. "Not only does the UAE
derive the benefits of economies of scale in the purchase of technologies
from our company that are also sold to U.S. military and other allied forces,
but also the UAE Air Force gains the value of long-term technology road maps
already in place for our U.S. and international military customers," he said.
"As we upgrade technology found in aircraft weapon systems like the airborne
early warning capability of the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye and ISR technologies of
the vertical takeoff MQ-8B Fire Scout for the United States Navy, the UAE Air
Force can also benefit from those investments. This is very important."

The conference, according to INEGMA officials, is one more example that
demonstrates Northrop Grumman's long term commitment to the region. A second
conference is now being planned for 2011.

"Sustained peace and prosperity for the UAE and their fellow GCC member
countries — Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia — is a common
goal for all," Brooks said. "Northrop Grumman's technology leadership in many
areas, its diverse line of product offerings, and its continued investment in
new technology growth like composites and alternative energy, enable the UAE
and GCC leadership to selectively choose what capabilities they need for
today and tomorrow with little constraint," he added. "It adds even further
dimension to our more-than decade-long relationship with the UAE."

Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security company whose
120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in
aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding and technical
services to government and commercial customers worldwide.

Dianne Baumert-Moyik of Northrop Grumman Corporation, +1-516-754-2645, Dianne.baumert-moyik at ngc.com