HALIFAX, Nova Scotia, Nov. 14, 2001 (PRIMEZONE) -- Litton Systems Canada, a business unit of Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) Electronic Systems sector, will supply electronic chassis and turret control systems to GM Defense in contracts valued at 52 million Canadian dollars. The multi-year orders will provide electronic assemblies for major new Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV) programs for the U.S. Army, the Australian Army and the New Zealand Army.
The contracts were announced at a special ceremony held today at the Litton Systems Canada plant in Enfield, Nova Scotia, attended by Robert Thibault, Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency). The contracts extend a supplier relationship between fLitton Systems Canada and GM Defense that began in 1996. Based in London, Ontario, GM Defense is the world's leading supplier of wheeled armoured vehicles for military markets.
GM's contract with the U.S. Army calls for the delivery of 2,131 LAV III model vehicles over the next seven years. Partnered with General Dynamics Land Systems, GM will re-equip the U.S. Army Brigade Combat Teams with a new generation of lighter, faster and more versatile armored vehicles. The contract is valued at 6 billion Canadian dollars over seven years. Starting in 2002, GM will also begin to fill major new armoured vehicle programs for both the Australian Army and the New Zealand Army.
"Litton Systems Canada has enjoyed a close relationship with General Motors Defense dating back to 1996 when we started work on the Canadian APC program," said Richard Ackerman, vice president of Marketing, Contracts and Special Projects for Northrop Grumman. "We are very excited with this contract announcement that cements our relationship by extending it into new areas such as the U.S. Army's Brigade Combat Team and similar programs in Australia and New Zealand. Litton Systems Canada is proud to be a member of the GM Defense team, particularly with our Halifax facility, which exemplifies the high value added by Nova Scotia's industries."
"We are pleased and proud to be again working with Litton Systems in providing world-class light armoured vehicle technology to our customers," said Bill Pettipas, executive director of GM Defense. "Northrop Grumman is a key member of a cross-Canada team on which we depend for both design and manufacturing excellence. We look forward to building on that relationship as we move into these major vehicle orders."
With a top speed of 100 km/h (60 mph) and a cruising range of 330 kilometers (200 miles), GM-built LAV's have seen military and peacekeeping service in Cyprus, Panama, Somalia, Bosnia, and, in the hands of the U.S. Marine Corps, in Operation Desert Storm in Iraq. Most recently, GM Defense vehicles have provided critical military support for Canadian Forces peacekeeping forces in both Kosovo and Eritrea.
GM Defense employs 1,200 at its London plant and 800 more in its global design and manufacturing centres in Goleta, Calif.; Kreuzlingen, Switzerland; Troy, Mich.; and Adelaide, Australia. GM Defense operations are IS0 9001 registered and are supported by a world-class team of component and technology suppliers.
Established in 1960, Litton Systems Canada has established state-of-the-art engineering and manufacturing capabilities in the demanding fields of airborne, army and maritime electronics. Employing a total of 650 engineers, technicians and administrative staff, Northrop Grumman has plants in Toronto, Ontario, and Halifax, Nova Scotia, for developing and manufacturing high-technology products and systems that are sold worldwide.
Headquartered in Baltimore, Md., Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems is a world leader in the design, development and manufacture of defense 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, logistics systems, and automation and information systems.
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