To: Robert Mayo who wrote (70 ) 1/30/1998 7:20:00 PM From: Carmine Cammarosano Respond to of 197
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has chosen the Gulfstream V ultra-long range, large cabin business jet as the platform for its entry in the United Kingdom's ASTOR competition, the company announced today. Northrop Grumman's entry, an advanced variant of its airborne ground surveillance technology, is being offered in response to the United Kingdom's Airborne Standoff Radar (ASTOR) invitation to tender. The ASTOR requirement calls for the delivery of at least five airborne ground surveillance platforms as part of a turnkey U.K. capability that includes ground segments, interoperability and system support. "After a thorough analysis of the candidate aircraft, we believe that the Gulfstream V is the superior solution given the technological, system design and growth aspects of our ASTOR proposal," said Martin E. Dandridge, vice president and general manager of Surveillance and Battle Management Systems, a unit of Northrop Grumman's Electronics and Systems Integration Division. Design activity is under way to adapt the Gulfstream V for installation of the advanced system. Proposals for the program are due in February, and the competition is expected to be decided later this year. "For over 30 years Gulfstream aircraft have proven to be highly reliable and adaptable to a wide range of special missions worldwide," said Bill Boisture of Gulfstream Aerospace. "We are confident the Gulfstream V will provide the ASTOR program with these same characteristics, as well as significantly increase mission capabilities." Founded in 1958, Gulfstream is the leading designer, developer, manufacturer and marketer of the world's most technologically advanced intercontinental business jet aircraft. The Gulfstream V is the first ultra- long range business jet capable of flying up to 6,500 nautical miles. The Gulfstream has set 40 world and national records for distance, speed, cruise altitude and payload in its first year of operation. Northrop Grumman Corporation, headquartered in Los Angeles, is a leading designer, systems integrator and manufacturer of military surveillance and combat aircraft, defense electronics and systems, airspace management systems, information systems, marine systems, precision weapons, space systems and commercial and military aerostructures.