Northrop Grumman and SELEX Galileo Execute an MOU to Jointly Pursue the International DIRCM Market

PARIS, June 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) and SELEX Galileo, a Finmeccanica Company, have announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at jointly pursuing the international directional infrared countermeasures (DIRCM) market.  Capitalizing on their unique experience and capability in the development and production of laser-based DIRCM systems, the document further strengthens the existing industry-leading DIRCM strategic alliance and enables the two companies to aggressively target the "rest-of-the-world" DIRCM marketplace.

"There are few collaborations in the defense industry that are as successful and long lived as the Northrop Grumman - SELEX Galileo alliance," said Jeff Palombo, sector vice president and general manager of Northrop Grumman's Land and Self Protection Systems Division.  "We have been hugely successful protecting aircraft, and this document will further strengthen our collaboration and allow us to focus on our international customers as we launch a fully exportable DIRCM system."

For almost 20 years, Northrop Grumman and SELEX Galileo have been the preferred supplier of DIRCM systems to the United States, United Kingdom and close allies.  With over 750 DIRCM systems delivered and supported, this unmatched capability and associated experience and expertise will be brought to the international community.  Following in the footsteps of Northrop Grumman - SELEX Galileo architecture, the international DIRCM system will encompass an open framework that permits the integration of various sensors, pointer/trackers and lasers.  

"This is a very significant milestone both in the Northrop Grumman - SELEX Galileo relationship and in our approach to the export DIRCM market," said Alastair Morrison, senior vice president, SELEX Galileo, Radar and Advanced Targeting.  "We look forward to working with all international customers and to meeting their aircraft platform protection requirements."

Signing the MOU were Jim Pitts, corporate vice president and president of Northrop Grumman's Electronic Systems sector, Jeff Palombo, sector vice president and general manager of Northrop Grumman's Land and Self Protection Systems Division, and Norman Bone, managing director of SELEX Galileo Ltd.

SELEX Galileo is a leading provider of sensor systems delivering to its customers a distinctive benefit in airborne mission critical systems and a full ISTAR capability. With industrial presence in the U.K., Italy and the U.S., the company builds on 60 years of experience on proprietary technologies to respond to the needs of those on the front line.

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.