Northrop Grumman Recognised by UK Ministry of Defence for Role in Supporting Sentry AWACS Aircraft During Military Operations in Libya

LONDON, December 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has been recognised by the U.K. Ministry of Defence for its role, through the Sentry Whole Life Support Programme at Royal Air Force (RAF) Waddington, in supporting military operations in Libya and the implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolutions to protect civilians.

Northrop Grumman has been delivering the Whole Life Support Programme (WLSP) for the Sentry E-3D Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) fleet based at RAF Waddington since 2005 and is currently under contract to do so until 2025.  

In his letter to the company, Peter Luff M.P., Minister for Defence Equipment Support & Technology at the Ministry of Defence, said: "Your combined effort, provided through the Sentry Whole Life Support Programme in conjunction with the Sentry Project Team, fielded an initial deployed fleet of three aircraft complete with a supply chain solution consisting of Primary Equipment Packs and supporting sponsored reserves. The responsive supply chain solution for the Sentry fleet provided 24-hour support for the duration of the operation. Additionally, the Northrop Grumman-led team provided supplementary maintenance at RAF Waddington to accommodate the two-fold increase in fleet flying hours experienced during the operation."

"The E-3D Sentry Whole Life Support Programme is one of Northrop Grumman's largest single programmes in the U.K. and Waddington plays a significant part in our U.K. business operations," said Sir Nigel Essenhigh, chairman Northrop Grumman U.K. "This is a fitting acknowledgement of the personal commitment of all concerned in delivering this strategically important U.K. military capability."

Northrop Grumman is the design organization for the E-3D Sentry fleet providing long-term U.K.-based technical support to the programme through the Joint Sentry Support Team consisting of nearly 200 personnel located at RAF Waddington. Working in partnership with the Sentry Project Team, the Northrop Grumman team provides the complete range of through-life services, including capability sustainment modernisation needed to support the Sentry E-3D AWACS aircraft through to its 2025 out-of-service date. Northrop Grumman also provides the radar and in-service support for the radar. Members of Northrop Grumman's Joint Sentry Support Team include BAE Systems, Cobham and AAR.  

"The work we do in supporting the Sentry E-3D fleet is extremely important to us," said Mark Cannon, programme manager, Northrop Grumman Technical Services. "We are proud of our long partnership with RAF Waddington, the Royal Air Force's home of airborne surveillance and reconnaissance, and of the contribution we make to front-line operations."

Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide. Please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com for more information.