WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Association of the U.S. Army National Meeting -- Oct. 7, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) announced today that Gulfstream Aerospace, a unit of General Dynamics (NYSE:GD), has joined its team as airframe provider in the competition to develop the Aerial Common Sensor (ACS), the next-generation intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) system. Gulfstream will provide its newest aircraft, the G450, as the ACS RC-20 platform.
"The addition of Gulfstream further augments our team's already formidable domain expertise in airborne tactical ISR systems," said William R. Adams, vice president of Airborne Surveillance Systems at the Electronic Systems sector and corporate lead on the company's ACS program team. "Gulfstream's U.S.-manufactured jets have proven themselves repeatedly in meeting the demanding requirements of special electronic mission aircraft, cruising at higher altitudes and remaining on station longer than any comparable aircraft."
Buddy Sams, senior vice president for government programs at Gulfstream, added, "Gulfstream aircraft have plenty of performance margin to ensure the operational flexibility of our nation's most sophisticated electronic sensor. In addition, the logistics infrastructure for Gulfstream jets is already in place throughout the U.S. Defense Department and at commercial airports around the world. Pilots know how to train with and fly them, mechanics can service them, and spare parts are available on nearly every continent. These planes would integrate seamlessly into the existing Department of Defense business jet fleet, saving money over their entire service lifetime."
Gulfstream jets currently serve all four branches of the U.S. military as well as the U.S. Coast Guard, and the company has delivered aircraft to the Army and other services for 26 years. More Gulfstreams are performing military missions today worldwide than any other large-cabin business jet.
The Northrop Grumman-led ACS team recently completed work on a $35 million, 15-month Component Advanced Development contract for the U.S. Army's Program Executive Office for Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors, Ft. Monmouth, N.J., for technology demonstration and risk reduction efforts. Northrop Grumman was one of two contractors selected in 2002 to continue development of the ACS system as a result of a competitive Concept Exploration Design phase.
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics based in Savannah, Ga., designs, develops, manufactures, markets, services, and supports the world's most technologically advanced business jet aircraft. Gulfstream has produced more than 1,300 aircraft for customers around the world since 1958. The company employs more than 7,400 people at seven major locations.
General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Va., employs approximately 64,600 people worldwide and anticipates 2003 revenues of $15.5 billion. The company has leading market positions in mission-critical information systems and technologies, land and amphibious combat systems, shipbuilding and marine systems, and business aviation.
Northrop Grumman's Electronic Systems sector, headquartered in Baltimore, Md., is a world leader in the design, development, and manufacture of defense and commercial electronics systems, including airborne radar systems, navigation systems, electronic warfare systems, precision weapons, airspace management systems, air defense systems, communications systems, space systems, marine systems, oceanic and naval systems, government systems, and logistic services.
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