ANNAPOLIS, Md., Dec. 14, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has entered into a partnership with the Chesapeake Innovation Center (CIC). Under the partnership, the CIC will identify emerging companies with cutting-edge technologies of value to Northrop Grumman's government customers, then help the companies develop their businesses to meet Northrop Grumman requirements.
Northrop Grumman is one of the nation's leading defense contractors and Maryland's largest manufacturing employer. CIC is America's first business accelerator for homeland- and national-security high technology. The partnership underscores the CIC's emergence as the "spark plug" of the "Informatics Corridor," the fast-growing high-technology business cluster centered in Anne Arundel County, Md., and focused on the advanced software needs of the homeland security sector, National Security Agency, and other federal and corporate enterprises.
"Northrop Grumman's partnership with the CIC will further enhance technological opportunities in Anne Arundel County as well as nationwide," said Anne Arundel County Executive Janet S. Owens. "We are proud of the CIC and proud that Northrop Grumman is one of our county's most outstanding businesses."
"Northrop Grumman is a technology leader in the homeland security and defense industries," said Curtis Pearson, deputy, Network Centric Systems of Northrop Grumman's Electronic Systems sector. "The CIC provides a much needed forum to help us identify important technological innovations that can add value and improve the capabilities of both our homeland security and defense systems. Conversely, the CIC helps smaller companies get the exposure they need to ensure their technologies are being used in the homeland security arena."
"Northrop Grumman's products and services are critical components of America's security abroad and at home," said John Elstner, chief executive officer of the CIC. "We aim to support Northrop Grumman by providing it with early access to the emerging technologies that will help make America more secure in the years ahead. We also applaud Northrop Grumman for its role in fostering the development of the 'Informatics Corridor' as a regional and national resource."
About the CIC: The CIC harnesses the power of entrepreneurship to help our nation enhance its technological edge. A public-private partnership initiated by the Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation on behalf of Anne Arundel County, the CIC is America's first business accelerator focused on homeland and national security. The Center brings together its member companies - start ups with innovative technologies -- with its partners -- large enterprises with requirements for security-related high technology. CIC member companies produce everything from an anthrax treatment to software that replaces the computer password. Its partners include the National Security Agency, Bearing Point, Next Century Corp. and Innovent Nokia. Among its corporate sponsors are ARINC, Sturn Wagner Lombardo & Company, Kelly FedSecure, Piper Rudnick, and Whiteford Taylor and Preston. www.cic-tech.org
About Northrop Grumman: Northrop Grumman Corporation is a 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 125,000 employees, and operations in all 50 states and 25 countries, Northrop Grumman serves U.S. and international military, government and commercial customers.