1 Vol. 3, No. 1 January 2011 - Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems

Vol. 3, No. 1 January 2011
January 2011 Aerospace Now 1

Northrop Grumman
Aerospace Systems
CONTENTS
Departments
Leadership Message 4
News Briefs, AS Makes Headlines 5
Products and Program News 6
Honors and Awards 16
Community Service News 17
greeNG/Safety/Security 18
Features
AP&T Looks to New Year to Build upon 2010 Success 6
Under the leadership of Paul Meyer, Advanced Programs and Technology sector
vice president and general manager, the division has advanced technology since its
formation in 2009, continued to bring innovative solutions to customers in 2010,
and will define new opportunities in 2011.
Northrop Grumman Marks 50 Years of E-2 Hawkeye Flight 10
When Northrop Grumman’s first E-2 Hawkeye took its maiden flight over the skies
of Bethpage, N.Y., in October 1960, it began a legacy of world-class airborne early
warning and command and control that has been unmatched.
Fire-X Successfully Completes Unmanned Flight 15
Fire-X, a new vertical unmanned air system developed by Northrop Grumman and
Bell Helicopter, flew autonomously for the first time last month at the U.S. Army’s
Yuma Proving Ground, Ariz.
2 Aerospace Now January 2011
January 2011 Aerospace Now 3
Vol. 3, No. 1
Published for employees by Aerospace
Systems Communications, Aerospace Now
archives are available on the intranet at
https://as.myngc.com/Services/Comms/Pages/
AerospaceNow.aspx
For permission to reprint or excerpt material,
please contact christopher.m.boyd@ngc.com
To subscribe, change your mailing address
or obtain additional copies of this
publication, e-mail your request to
ASCommunications@ngc.com
With comments or story ideas, call
Chris Boyd, Internal Communications
at 310-812-8536 or e-mail
ASCommunications@ngc.com
Director, Enterprise Communications
Mary Wortman
Executive Editor
Chris Boyd
Managing Editor
Elizabeth Ruiterman
Art Director
Joseph P. Lanning
Contributors
Amy Akmal, Dianne Baumert-Moyik,
Bob Bishop, Debbie Bohacs, Warren Comer,
Kirsti Dunn, Adam Gross, Deborah Hawkins,
Tom Henson, Carissa Kwan, John Vosilla,
Susan Wetzel
Cover Design
Joseph P. Lanning
Graphics Lead
Ivette Mangual
January 2011
18
6
14

space
New Year, New Challenges
news
briefs
news briefs
news briefs
Hyperion Hyperspectral Imager Aerospace Systems Delivers
Marks 10th Anniversary On-Orbit Critical Global Hawk Sensor to U.S.
Gary Ervin, Corporate vice
Every sports fan knows the phrase, “Wait ’til next year.” It recognizes that hope
springs eternal and the promise for a fresh start and better things.
Well, “next year” is upon us. As 2011 begins, we recommit ourselves to
improving performance and growing our business. Strong margin performance
and increased cash flow generation will be important measures of making good
on our commitment to sustainable performance improvement.
But aerospace is not sports. Each year does not represent a clean break from the
past. There’s no reset to a “zero wins, zero losses” record. Instead, we must capitalize
on new opportunities that play to our strengths while maintaining momentum
from last year.
In 2011 we’ll continue to stress outstanding performance on our existing strong
set of core programs. They’ll drive top-line growth as we field system upgrades.
Several of our programs also offer significant international opportunities.
Expanding overseas will be an important strategy as domestic budgets flatten
or decline.
But 2011 also signals a fresh start in some ways. We will aggressively compete for
new programs that play to our strengths. The recent first flight of Fire-X is a case in
point, setting us up to better succeed in the important area of vertical unmanned
aerial systems. The Fire-X program, coupled with Fire Scout’s many milestones,
demonstrates a powerful strategy of leveraging expertise across programs to
rapidly and cost-effectively expand capabilities and potentially win new business.
Another example: NASA recently selected us as one of the contractors for the
Modular Space Vehicle Program in recognition of our success on the Lunar CRater
Observation and Sensing Satellite.
It’s clear. The opportunities for new business cut across our company: civil and
military space, unmanned and manned systems, missile systems, directed energy,
restricted, life cycle and logistics. That’s the payoff of a diverse portfolio: more
potential for growth.
This year we still face economic and political headwinds. Deficit reduction is a
priority among decision-makers. We’ll need to help our customers make thoughtful
choices to realize savings while never compromising the safety and effectiveness
of our warfighters. And with more than 60 new members of Congress being seated
this month, we’ll need to continue to strongly advocate for our programs and
educate legislators as to their value.
But no matter the challenges, we have a clear road forward. A new year does not
mean we have a new vision. Rather, it brings us closer to seeing that vision realized:
to be the leader in preserving freedom and advancing discovery by providing
our customers with innovative and affordable integrated air, space and ground
solutions. With great people and a robust portfolio, 2011 looks to be a year of
progress as we continue to provide strong bottom-line performance and
top-line growth.
NASA’s first hyperspectral imager in
space, built by Northrop Grumman for the
Goddard Space Flight Center, is observing
its 10th anniversary on-orbit, outliving its
design life by 1,000 percent. Originally
designed for one year of operation with
a two-year goal, Hyperion continues to
deliver highly detailed observations of the
Earth’s surface, atmosphere and biomass.
Built in just 12 months and launched
onboard NASA’s Earth Observing-1 satellite
on Nov. 21, 2000, Hyperion has produced
more than 50,000 images in the last decade.
Optimizing the sensor’s performance is a
Northrop Grumman-built long-life pulsetube
cryocooler, which also has operated
flawlessly for 10 years. “Hyperion’s longevity
and robustness show that even our lowcost,
rapidly deployed sensors far outlive
their lifetime requirements,” said Robert
Burke, vice president of Civil and Military
Systems for Aerospace Systems. “Delivering
the highest value and reliability to our
customers is a hallmark of our work.”
Company Wins NASA Contract to
Build Modular Space Vehicles for
Department of Defense
Northrop Grumman has been selected
by NASA as one of the five contractors
for the Modular Space Vehicles program.
NASA’s Ames Research Center, Moffett Field,
Calif., acted as the contracting agent for
the Department of Defense’s Operationally
Responsive Space (ORS) program and
announced the award of the indefinite
delivery, indefinite quantity cost-plus,
fixed-fee multi-award contract. “We are
very pleased to have this opportunity to
work with Ames Research Center again and
build on our recent mutual successes on
the Lunar CRater Sensing and Observation
Satellite mission,” said Steve Hixson, vice
president of Advanced Concepts-Space
and Directed Energy Systems, Advanced
Programs and Technology, Aerospace
Systems. ”Northrop Grumman is also eager
to support ORS and its vision of providing
assured space power focused on timely
satisfaction of Joint Force Commanders’
needs.”
Air Force
Aerospace Systems last month delivered
the first production Multi-Platform Radar
Technology Insertion Program (MP-RTIP)
sensor to Edwards Air Force Base for
integration on the first U.S. Air Force
Block 40 Global Hawk. The first MP-RTIP
Global Hawk flight is scheduled to occur by
early this year. The MP-RTIP technology is
unprecedented and unique in its ability to
provide critical coverage for the warfighter.
MP-RTIP’s application of advanced
technologies can detect multiple stopped,
slow and fast-moving objects on the ground
in any weather, day or night. This capability,
combined with the endurance of the Block
40 Global Hawk, provides the warfighter
with more than 30 hours of greatly
improved situational awareness and combat
identification per mission. “The MP-RTIPequipped
Global Hawk is an unprecedented
combination because it provides greater
situational awareness for the warfighter,”
said George Guerra, vice president of High-
Altitude, Long-Endurance programs.
U.S. Navy Target Completes Flights
with New Northrop Grumman
Software
Northrop Grumman has completed a
flight test demonstration of new software
developed for the U.S. Navy’s BQM-74E
aerial target. The new software allows the
target to fly complex, fully autonomous
missions. On Oct. 12, a BQM-74E equipped
with the company’s Programmable
Autonomous Waypoint Navigation (PAWN)
software successfully completed two of
three scheduled test flights. Conducted at
Naval Air Warfare Weapons Division test
range in Point Mugu, Calif., the first two
flights fulfilled all of the program’s flight test
requirements. The third flight, completed
Nov. 17, validated the results of the first
two flights. “The new PAWN software makes
the BQM-74E completely autonomous,
while enabling it to emulate the most
sophisticated tactical threats to Navy ships
and aircraft,” said Duke Dufresne, sector vice
president and general manager of Strike
and Surveillance Systems. “It also gives the
Every month, Aerospace Now provides
employees with an overview of the happenings
in our sector. But what about outside media
that cover Aerospace Systems, its people and
programs? Major television media outlets like
CNN and FOX News, publications including the
New York Times and Los Angeles Times, as well
as popular websites such as SPACE.com, report
on news generated by Aerospace Systems. In
this feature of Aerospace Now called “Aerospace
Systems Makes Headlines,” you will get a snapshot
of the different news media covering our sector
and when the reports appeared. Want to know
more regarding who is asking about our sector
and what they’re learning in return? Go online to
get the full story.
• “Northrop Grumman to expand in Rancho
Bernardo,” North County Times (California
newspaper serving north San Diego County),
Nov. 30
• “NASA pushes for a green jetliner,” Los Angeles
Times, Nov. 26
• “Gathering Speed — As first flight nears,
taxi tests ramp up on stealthy U.S. Navy UAV
demonstrator,” Aviation Week and Space
Technology, Nov. 22
• “Northrop Grumman to Help Build Modular
Space Vehicles for DoD,” Space Daily, Nov. 17
• “Northrop Grumman Wins NASA Contract to
Build Modular Space Vehicles for DoD,” Reuters,
Nov. 16
• “NASA Signs Northrop Grumman For a Long Bus
Ride,” Satnews Daily, Nov. 16
• “COMBAT BY CAMERA: The changing face of
aerial reconnaissance,” Los Angeles Times, Nov. 11
president and president,
Northrop Grumman
Aerospace Systems
4 Aerospace Now January 2011
Navy a look at capabilities it can expect to
find in next-generation target systems.”
January 2011 Aerospace Now 5

PRODUCTS AND
PROGRAM NEWS
AP&T looks to NEW YEAR
CARISSA KWAN
T
his month, Aerospace Systems’
Advanced Programs and Technology
(AP&T) celebrates its second
anniversary. Under the leadership of
Paul Meyer, AP&T’s sector vice president
and general manager, the division
has advanced technology since its
formation in 2009, continued to bring
innovative solutions to customers in
2010, and will define new opportunities
to address the changing landscape of
budgets and pressures on affordability
in 2011.
AP&T reaches across all domains — air,
sea, space and land — to identify and
develop new growth opportunities through
the execution of sound business ventures.
Knowledge, expertise and talent across the
sector afford AP&T the opportunity to create
a diverse portfolio of emerging programs
and advanced technologies. Employees were
instrumental in reaching critical milestones
and goals in 2010, forming a foundation for
achievements in 2011.
The X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System
Demonstration team had a successful year
with the completion of the program’s taxi
test series and next-generation software
development, which enabled the team to
to Build upon 2010 Success
conduct the initial flight of the first X-47B.
The X-47B is designed to be the first
unmanned tailless jet to launch and recover
aboard a carrier at sea. These events will
lead us to expand flight operations,
transition to Paxtuent River, Md., for further
development and mature the program for
carrier trials in 2013.
AP&T has carved a new path of program
development through teaming, business
model and product initiatives. For instance,
a $517 million contract was awarded to
the company for the Long Endurance
Multi-Intelligence Vehicle program, an
outgrowth of leadership within AP&T that
is managed through Battle Management
and Engagement Systems. Along similar
lines, an unmanned cargo capability was
identified as a customer need. In 2010, AP&T
continued to refine a technically advanced,
challenging and potentially lucrative
cargo lift technology while establishing an
agreement with Bell Helicopter to stand up
the Fire-X demonstration program, an effort
focused on unmanning an existing mature
helicopter design. In December, this industry
team succeeded in performing the first
unmanned flight of Fire-X, a medium-range
vertical unmanned aircraft system (UAS) that
combines proven intelligence, surveillance
and reconnaissance capabilities with large
payload and cargo capability, and long
endurance.
In the fixed-wing arena, the division
achieved first flight of Bat, a multi-mission
tactical UAS configured with a 12-foot
wingspan. The Bat team, recognizing the
value of small tactical UAS for a variety of
customers, is exploring business strategies to
address affordability and efficiency through
ownership and operations business models.
The NASA Global Hawk team reached
industry firsts in the Earth science
environment during the 2010 Global
Pacific (GloPac) and Genesis and Rapid
Intensification Process hurricane missions.
During a GloPac mission, Global Hawk
reached an unprecedented operating
location at 85 degrees north latitude while
studying polar regions. After flying over
tropical storm Frank off the coast of Mexico,
NASA Global Hawk performed a 24-hour
mission over Hurricane Earl, marking the
first time Global Hawk had flown over a fully
formed hurricane, followed by three more
hurricane watch missions in 2010. This year,
plans include further support of atmospheric
science and winter storm research in the
Pacific Ocean during two science campaigns.
In 2010, Maritime Laser Demonstration
(MLD) conducted several demonstrations
of its solid-state laser technology aimed
at proving the system’s ability to operate
in marine environments. MLD achieved all
primary demonstration objectives of land
testing involving precision tracking of small
boats from required ranges and high-energy
lasing over water. MLD looks forward to
building on its 2010 accomplishments and
continuing progress in 2011.
AP&T, along with other divisions and
sectors, formed several multifaceted
initiatives last year to anticipate customer
needs and provide best-value solutions.
The Common Mission Management System
(CMMS) program stood up in mid-2010
to focus on the development of a common,
open architecture command-and-control
solution for all Northrop Grumman
unmanned aircraft programs. Led by
Mike Leahy, the 2010 Hap Arnold Award
recipient for excellence in aeronautical
program management, CMMS is a crosssector
program. Another cross-corporate
program called the Integrated Strike Warfare
Airborne Networking Initiative focused on
Photos by Northrop Grumman Corp.
UAS
Top left: The X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstration (UCAS-D) is designed to be the first unmanned tailless jet to launch and recover aboard a carrier at sea. The
X-47B UCAS-D team had a tremendously successful year with the completion of the program’s taxi test series and next-generation software development.
Above right: The Fire-X program team recognized a void in unmanned cargo capability and teamed with Bell Helicopter to un-man a helicopter. Last December, the industry
team succeeded in performing first flight of Fire-X, a medium-range vertical unmanned aircraft system that combines proven intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance
capabilities with large payload and cargo capability, and long endurance.
Below right: The Lunar CRater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) shown being lowered onto a launch vehicle adapter during the “mate match” test, designed to
determine if the two fit together properly. The test was performed at Northrop Grumman’s manufacturing facilities in Redondo Beach, Calif., where LCROSS was built.
demonstrating critical airborne networking
concepts during the first few days of a
conflict. The formation of these collaborative
efforts reinforces the company’s ability to
meet the complex challenges facing our
customers today and tomorrow.
With program accomplishments comes
recognition of technical achievements.
The Lunar CRater Observation and Sensing
Satellite (LCROSS) — an effort that delivered
a new spacecraft in less than half the time
of a typical system — is an example of a
streamlined acquisition and production
process to meet accelerated development
schedules and cost constraints. LCROSS has
received numerous accolades, and last year
it was nationally recognized for superior
innovation by Popular Mechanics magazine
and for space exploration by the Space
Foundation.
Other programs were recognized for their
accomplishments. The Terahertz Electronics
program and the Airborne Laser Test Bed
(ALTB) team are among 27 finalists under
consideration for Laureate Awards from
Aviation Week & Space Technology magazine.
The ALTB team was selected as a finalist for its
successful, lethal intercept of a ballistic missile
in February. Last year, a Microelectronics
Processes and Products team doubled the
speed of the fastest reported integrated
circuit with an amplifier chip no larger than
a grain of rock salt. The team was the first
to meet all requirements of the Terahertz
Electronics program under a contract from
the Defense Advanced Research Projects
Agency, thereby becoming a Laureate finalist.
Winners will be announced this March.
Through the dedication and hard work of
its employees, AP&T made significant strides
in technology development in 2010 and looks
forward to even greater accomplishments
in 2011.
“With so many successes and technological
advancements, AP&T is well-positioned to
lead Aerospace Systems into the future,
whether it is from space, air, land or sea.
From enabling technologies to products
and systems, the future is ours to realize
through the creation of the next generation
of programs and continued commitment
to an organizational structure that ensures
outstanding execution performance,”
Meyer said.
6 Aerospace Now January 2011
January 2011 Aerospace Now 7

PRODUCTS AND
PROGRAM NEWS
JOHN VOSILLA
The Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Mission Package
product line doesn’t seem to fit within an
organization named Aerospace Systems. Don’t
be fooled. Mission packages, under the concept
“mission modularity,” are a natural fit for the sector,
as Marc DeBlasio, director of the LCS Mission
Package Integrator program, explains.
Q: For our readers, what are mission packages
and what does your team do?
A: Mission packages are the warfighting
components of the Navy’s LCS. The LCS is a flexible,
new surface combat vehicle designed to be
adaptable for changes in warfare. Flexibility comes
from the mission packages. A mission package is
a group of sensors, weapons, vehicles, computing,
communications and support equipment (e.g.,
International Standards Organization containers)
with associated personnel. The Navy’s laboratories
built the initial prototypes for mine warfare (MIW),
surface warfare (SUW) and anti-submarine warfare.
In production we’ll produce support elements,
integrate modules into a package, install them on
the ship and support them from a Mission Package
Support Facility. We prepare mission packages for
ship embarkation/debarkation depending on the
required mission. This past September we were
awarded the production contract for the initial
three production packages: one MIW and two SUW.
Q: How did Northrop Grumman get into this
business?
A: When Northrop Grumman purchased
Shipbuilding, the company realized it wasn’t doing
weapon systems integration. Aerospace Systems,
largely a complex aircraft integrator, was perfectly
positioned to take on a ship integrator role. If we
could integrate things on airplanes, why couldn’t
we integrate things on ships? So we embarked on
opportunities in the Navy’s latest ship designs like
the CVN-21, the DDG-1000 and the LCS opportunity.
We were the dark horse against Lockheed Martin
and Raytheon, the giants of ship integration. We
beat them.
Q: As a business entity, what do you feel is its
significance to the sector and the company?
A: Traditionally, our sector is about airplanes and
spacecraft. In reality, what we’re really good at is
pulling multiple pieces together in a platform to
create a warfighting capability. With mission packages,
we are building upon that and expanding our base to
non-traditional customers and platforms. The Long
Endurance Multi-Intelligence Vehicle program is
similar: modular payloads on an airship for the Army.
Q: List some of your team’s key accomplishments.
A: We have a great team, and here are a few. Of
the eight award fees to date, we’ve averaged greater
than 95 percent, with five 100 percent award fees.
Our Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting
System [ratings] for the last four years have been
nothing but dark blue and purple. I mentioned our
first production contract in September. We stood up
in October 2009 the new Mission Package Support
Facility that we operate for the Navy, for which
we received a value-engineering award from the
Department of Defense. We supported the early
deployment of the USS Freedom earlier this year and
supported the Navy’s successful, first mission package
swap-out tests in September.
Q: You’re chairing a NATO committee on mission
modularity. What does that mean for NATO and for
Northrop Grumman?
A: NATO understands the diminishing size of
naval fleets and wants to investigate modularity for
naval ships to make those ships more flexible and
increase their utility. Consequently, they’re trying to
apply modularity to their large deck ships for several
non-military missions. Our study group is evaluating
concepts for humanitarian assistance disaster relief,
harbor security and counter-piracy mission packages.
It’s a one-year study. Eight nations and 25 people
from 17 companies are participating. The committee
expects a follow-on study where we actually build a
mission package or part of one for NATO. It should
position Northrop Grumman to be part of the team
that produces mission packages for NATO and its
coalition partners.
8 Aerospace Now January 2011
January 2011 Aerospace Now 9
Marc DeBlasio

Photo by Edgar Mills
COVER STORY
KIRSTI DUNN
Airborne Early
Warning Command
and Control a Critical
Capability for Force
Protection
Northrop Grumman
When Northrop Grumman’s first E-2
Hawkeye took its maiden flight over
the skies of Bethpage, N.Y., on Oct. 21, 1960,
it began a legacy of world-class airborne
early warning (AEW) and command and
control that has been unmatched by any
other airborne platform.
The latest variant of the E-2 — the E-2D
Advanced Hawkeye — exemplifies Northrop
Grumman’s leadership in AEW technology
and provides the warfighter with the most
relevant and capable technology available
to meet the evolving threats of today and
tomorrow.
“It was a very proud day for Northrop
Grumman and for the U.S. Navy when we
delivered the first fleet E-2D Advanced
Hawkeye to Chief of Naval Operations
Adm. Gary Roughead this past July,” said
Pat McMahon, sector vice president and
general manager, Battle Management and
Engagement Systems. “The longevity and
success of this program is a testament to
the dedication and commitment of our
employees, both past and present, who have
designed, manufactured and sustained this
weapons system for half a century. As the
Navy embarks on its Centennial of Naval
Aviation [this] year, Northrop Grumman
continues to be committed to providing this
Marks 50 YEARS of E-2 HAWKEYE FLIGHT
critical first line of defense well into the
21st century.”
A U.S. Navy E-2C aircrew from AEW
Squadron ONE TWO ZERO (VAW-120),
conducting training in the Bethpage area,
joined site leadership and employees to
celebrate the significant milestone and share
their respective operational experiences with
the E-2C Hawkeye. Based in Norfolk, Va., the
Greyhawks train pilots and naval flight officers
to fly the aircraft and operate the systems
before being assigned to an operational
flight squadron. The Greyhawks are the first
Navy squadron to receive the E-2D Advanced
Hawkeye and are currently undergoing
aircrew and maintenance training on the
Advanced Hawkeye.
Opposite page: Shown at center, Pat McMahon, sector vice president and general manager, Battle
Management and Engagement Systems, and Jim Culmo, vice president, Airborne Early Warning/Battle
Management Command and Control, stand with the U.S. Navy E-2C Hawkeye aircrew from Airborne Early
Warning Squadron ONE TWO ZERO (VAW-120) and Bethpage, N.Y., employees.
Above: Rolls-Royce employees in Indianapolis had an opportunity to see the T-56 engines they manufacture
on the wing of an E-2C Hawkeye up close and to hear from Northrop Grumman and U.S. Navy leadership.
The event coincided with a training flight by an E-2C aircrew from Airborne Early Warning (AEW) Squadron
ONE TWO ZERO (VAW-120), based in Norfolk, Va. Pictured (third from left) are Capt. Shane Gahagan, E-2/C-2
program manager, and (fourth from left) Jim Culmo, vice president of AEW/Battle Management Command
and Control programs for Northrop Grumman.
With its uniquely designed, rotating
rotodome and distinctive four-vertical tail
configuration, the E-2 Hawkeye is the world’s
only AEW aircraft specifically designed as
a carrier-based airborne command and
control aircraft. Through the years, Northrop
Grumman has worked closely with the
Navy on capability road maps that have
resulted in significant improvements to the
platform and systems, including the new,
more powerful AN/APY-9 radar system,
avionics and other advanced technologies.
The open architecture design of the aircraft
allows these systems to be easily and quickly
integrated into the overall platform.
The U.S. Navy’s E-2D program of record
is for a total of 75 aircraft, manufactured
at the Manufacturing and Flight Test
Center in St. Augustine, Fla. Completing its
first flight in August 2007, the Advanced
Hawkeye continues to meet, or exceed,
program milestones and is on track for initial
operational test and evaluation in 2013 and
initial operational capability in 2015.
From the first E-2 Hawkeye to take flight
50 years ago to the game-changing E-2D
Advanced Hawkeye, the E-2 has earned its
reputation as the ears and eyes of the U.S.
Navy fleet. The first to launch and the last to
recover on the flight deck, the E-2 has always
been, and will continue to be, ready, relevant
and capable.
10 Aerospace Now January 2011
January 2011 Aerospace Now 11
Photo by Bryan Mitchell, Rolls-Royce

PRODUCTS AND
PROGRAM NEWS
DEBORAH HAWKINS
George Rodriguez
Position before rotation: Flight Test and
Evaluation integrated product team
manager, El Segundo, Calif.
Now: Deputy program manager, GSC,
Long Range Strike program, Palmdale,
Calif.
Tenure at Northrop Grumman: 21 years
“Three things are essential. First, get
to know your team members quickly,
understand what they do and how
your role interacts with theirs. Second,
don’t be shy. Ask enough questions
to satisfy your hunger for knowledge
without monopolizing precious time.
Third, develop an execution plan and
communicate effectively.
“The future is now. To remain
competitive, we need to find innovative
ways to operate on future designs
and budget challenges without losing
sight of unquestionable quality while
providing 100 percent customer
satisfaction. The GSC rotation program
is breaking new ground and setting
the tempo by training high potential
employees to be more effective program
managers. In years past, manufacturers
drove the pace at which products were
manufactured and distributed. Today,
customers call the shots. Understanding
GSC roles and responsibilities is not an
option — it is a requirement.”
Revealing
R tations
The opportunity to invest a year to learn, firsthand, the challenges of managing subcontractors is not only broadening but also now a
requirement to become a program manager. We asked three engineers who are serving as deputy program managers within Global Supply
Chain (GSC) to tell us what’s expected, what they’ve learned and how others can prepare themselves for this unique rotation program.
To learn more about this rotation program, contact Chris Hayes, director, GSC, Strike and Surveillance Systems at Chris.Hayes@ngc.com.
Engineers Share Benefits of Rotating through GSC as Deputy Program Managers
Gina Kostelecky-Shankle
Position before rotation: Engineering
manager, Avionics Center of Excellence,
El Segundo, Calif.
Now: GSC deputy program manager,
High-Altitude, Long-Endurance Systems,
San Diego
Tenure at Northrop Grumman: 19 years
“This assignment has impressed upon
me the significant impact engineers
have on GSC activities. I’ve seen how
important it is for GSC and Aerospace
Engineering to work together to
reduce costs. This often requires
changing engineering requirements to
account for supplier process costs. By
working together with key suppliers,
Aerospace Engineering and GSC have
started to significantly reduce the costs
of our program. Establishing solid
relationships is key. If we all broaden
our horizons and reach across our
company and our supply base, we can
better integrate GSC and Aerospace
Engineering and make a real difference
to our programs and, ultimately, to the
people who depend on our products.”
Frank Carus
Positions before rotation: director and chief
engineer, Vehicle Structures, F/A-18 program, El
Segundo, Calif.
Now: director, GSC Affordability, F-35 program,
El Segundo, Calif.
Tenure: 26 years include prior rotations in both
GSC and Production Operations
“What most surprised me was the ease of
the transition. The relationships built over
the years definitely helped. My initial role
was to act as a liaison between Aerospace
Engineering and GSC to drive affordability
on the F-35 program. More than 50 percent
of the F-35 air vehicle recurring spend is on
general procurement and major subcontracts.
The program is complex. Maybe 10 percent
of the parts are common; 90 percent are
unique.
“There are a lot of subtle nuances in
managing large subcontracts. We have
international suppliers on this program,
so we’re working with different cultures,
languages and time zones. Good, sound
processes make it work. We also need
strong leaders who understand program
complexities and respect cultural differences.
The greatest asset an engineer can bring to
GSC is the ability to challenge the flow-down
of requirements. Understanding technical
requirements allows you to find a median
point acceptable to Aerospace Engineering
and compliant with affordability goals.
“Immersing myself in the world of
subcontracts, proposals and negotiations has
been a great learning experience, and I would
definitely recommend it to future program
TOM HENSON
From the perspective of a manager,
Aerospace Systems’ large employee
base can be both helpful and
a challenge. On one hand, the
breadth of experience of thousands
of fellow employees and the lessons learned
from years of hard work are within reach. The
flip side is, often employees don’t know how
to tap into this expertise.
Enter the Manager Community of Practice
(CoP).
The Manager CoP is a collection of
manager-level professionals that meets once
a month to network and develop crucial skills.
Membership is free. Each month, the group
gathers in person and virtually for an hour to
learn and share experiences. Guest speakers
address relevant management concepts,
and each session includes an open group
discussion on the challenges and rewards of
managing people, including success stories
and lessons learned.
Kenny Phillips, an El Segundo-based
manager of Data Integration and Visibility,
chairs the organization with the support
of a 15-member governance council that
helms subcommittees with duties ranging
from scheduling speakers to overseeing a
book club. Phillips and Executive Sponsor
Duke Dufresne, sector vice president and
general manager for Strike and Surveillance
Systems, believe the Manager CoP is a great
opportunity for managers to make vital
connections and share experiences in an
open environment.
“We’ve created an environment where, for
an hour a month, employees can step outside
their focused areas of responsibility and get
to know others who are in their shoes, where
they’re able to speak openly and freely,”
Phillips said. “That one hour of connection
can help build a network that will last for a
career. That’s a tremendous value.”
Chartered in 2007, the Manager CoP
to date has drawn membership primarily
from Southern California sites, with
Rancho Bernardo and Palmdale managers
participating remotely. The group’s ambition
is to connect its monthly meetings to
other sites, a move that can strengthen the
group by introducing new people and their
experiences.
“We’re very pleased with the level of
interest and participation in Southern
California, and it’s clear everyone can
benefit from the connections we make as
membership increases,” Phillips said.
The basis for the Manager CoP comes from
the company’s description of communities
of practice as groups of people who share a
passion about a topic, and who deepen their
knowledge and expertise by interacting on
an ongoing basis. These communities are
intended to help knowledge flow across
PRODUCTS AND
PROGRAM NEWS
Duke Dufresne, sector vice president and general manager of Strike and Surveillance Systems,
addresses members of the Manager Community of Practice at the organization’s Nov. 18
meeting in El Segundo. Dufresne is the group’s executive sponsor.
MANAGER COMMUNITY PRACTICE
organizational and geographical boundaries.
Managers in particular can benefit from this,
as they play a unique role in the sector.
“Every position comes with its own
demands and necessary skill sets, but, in
our organization, the manager often faces
a particular challenge,” Dufresne said.
“After all, they’re the face of management
for employees, and they’re the voice of
employees for senior leaders. This can be
a tough balancing act to perform, and
developing the right skills and contacts can
help tremendously. This is what the Manager
CoP is all about.”
Dufresne believes CoP membership can
enhance the effectiveness of participants, but
they’re not the only ones who stand to gain
from the experience.
“Successful companies have effective
managers, and effective managers create
successful teams,” Dufresne said. “Joining
this CoP can help employees and their
organizations.”
The Manager Community of Practice (CoP)
is available to all employees at the manager
level. To find out more and learn how to benefit
from the CoP, contact Kenny Phillips at Kenny.
Phillips@ngc.com or (310) 331-5144. Or, visit
the organization’s wiki site at http://wiki.
northgrum.com/wiki/Manager_CoP.
12 Aerospace Now January 2011
managers.”
January 2011 Aerospace Now 13
OF

PRODUCTS AND
PROGRAM NEWS
Celebrating Our Space Shuttle Crews
More than 500 people joined Northrop Grumman leaders and
aviation enthusiasts from across Long Island, N.Y., to pay tribute
to several NASA space shuttle astronauts at the 2010 Cradle of
Aviation Museum Gala in Garden City, N.Y. Pictured (l-r) are:
astronaut Bill Shepherd of Babylon, N.Y.; astronaut Mary
Cleave of Great Neck, N.Y.; Northrop Grumman Sector Vice
President and Division General Manager Pat McMahon
and her husband, Bob Mansbart; astronaut Kevin Kregel
of Amityville, N.Y.; astronaut Robert “Hoot” Gibson of
Lakewood, Calif.; and astronaut and U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson
of Melbourne, Fla. Nelson, who is a strong supporter of
Northrop Grumman’s Joint Surveillance Attack Radar
System program based in Melbourne, and the E-2D
Advanced Hawkeye production line in St. Augustine,
Fla., served as keynote speaker for the Spirit of Discovery
Award. U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer, also a strong supporter
of these programs, attended the event to recognize his
longtime friend and senate colleague, and all the shuttle
honorees. Northrop Grumman is a major supporter of the Cradle
of Aviation Museum, and Airborne Early Warning Programs Vice
President Jim Culmo serves on its board of directors.
–Dianne Baumert-Moyik
Los Angeles County
Board of Supervisors Honors DSP
Photo by Robert Brown
Maj. Johnny Erwin, right, U.S. Air Force program
manager for the Defense Support Program (DSP), and
John Kravec, center, Space Systems Division DSP program
operations manager, accept a resolution adopted Nov. 9
by the L.A. County Board of Supervisors recognizing the
missile warning satellites’ 40th anniversary of successful
on-orbit performance. Presenting the resolution is
Supervisor Don Knabe, whose district includes Aerospace
Systems’ Space Park facilities in Redondo Beach, Calif.,
where all 23 DSP satellites were built. –Bob Bishop
Nancy Epstein, Cradle of Aviation Museum
Fire-X Successfully Completes
Unmanned Flight
WARREN COMER
Fire-X, a new vertical unmanned
air system (VUAS) developed
by Northrop Grumman and Bell
Helicopter, flew autonomously for the
first time last month at the U.S. Army’s Yuma
Proving Ground, Ariz. The flight culminated
an unmanned aircraft development,
integration and test process that took the
team less than one year to complete.
“We put the concept on paper and brought
those ideas to life in just 11 months,” said
George Spongberg, Fire-X program manager.
“Fire-X represents how we can use existing
unmanned technologies and integrate them
into airframes to meet different capability
needs of our customers.”
First flight involved a short-duration hover
to ensure safe and reliable autonomous flight.
Integration of intelligence, surveillance and
reconnaissance (ISR) sensor payloads and
cargo-carrying capability test flights are set
to occur early this year.
The successful development of Fire-X
was accomplished by integrating the
MQ-8B Fire Scout’s proven unmanned
systems architecture with the Bell 407
helicopter, a Federal Aviation Administrationcertified
helicopter that’s been in worldwide,
commercial service since 1996. These
activities ensured proper installation and
communication with control stations, paving
the way for first flight.
Fire-X is designed to carry ISR sensors and
a useful load of more than 3,200 pounds —
for fuel, payloads and/or enhanced cargohauling
capabilities. It is unique among
vertical UASs in that it can carry its cargo
either internally or externally, giving field
commanders the flexibility to ferry cargo, mail
or even wounded service personnel in or out
of the battle zone. The Fire-X demonstration
aircraft also retains the ability to be optionally
PRODUCTS AND
PROGRAM NEWS
piloted, an appealing aspect to some
military users.
Fire-X’s capabilities not only address the
emerging unmanned systems needs of the
U.S. military but also demonstrate Northrop
Grumman’s ability to integrate a proven
unmanned systems architecture into other
airframes. And because Fire-X is based on
a mature, commercially proven airframe, it
offers the company’s customers a VUAS that
can be fielded much sooner and much less
expensively than other competing systems.
“Congratulations to the Fire-X team for
proving how a low-risk, fast-track solution
can meet emerging military needs for cargo
and ISR capabilities,” said Paul Meyer, sector
vice president and general manager of
Advanced Programs and Technology. “The
achievements of the team to meet first flight
goals this year have really put us on the right
track for further success in 2011.”
14 Aerospace Now January 2011
January 2011 Aerospace Now 15

Photos by Alex Evers
HONORS AND AWARDS
SUSAN WETzEL
Aerospace Systems takes diversity and inclusion seriously. We have to, since our success hinges on it. Our reputation for being a
leader in the aerospace industry is built on a diverse work force that blends together different skills, backgrounds and innovative
ideas that consistently widen the technology lens and drive new levels of service and productivity. Recently, 11 members of this
diverse team — the stereotype breakers — were selected by national diversity associations that honored them for their outstanding
achievements in the fields of engineering, technology and academia.
Adam Woodhouse is director, Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Employment Opportunity. “Congratulations to each of these prestigious
winners who help us to exemplify Northrop Grumman’s achievements and excellence,” he said. “Their commitment and abilities
continue to help us attract and retain the very best and brightest and ensure that we continue to be recognized as a top talent
employer among other industry peers.”
Congratulations to all the recipients helping us lead the way!
Dr. William L. Jones
Project Manager, Aerospace Products
Black Engineer of the Year Award —
Tier 1 — Outstanding Technical
Achievement Award and Trailblazer Award
National Society of Black Engineers
Celestial Torch — Lifetime Achievement in
Aerospace Award
Dr. F. Dong Tan
Center Staff Manager,
Distinguished Engineer,
Space Systems Products
Asian American Engineer of
the Year Award
Mi-Young (Molly) Park
Optical Engineer,
Antennas, Lasers and
Sensors
Women of Color in
Technology Award —
Tier 2 — Technology Rising
Star Award
Dr. Meina Xu
System Analysis Lead,
Advanced Extremely High
Frequency Satellite Capability
Insertion Program, Aerospace
Engineering
Women of Color in Technology
Award — Tier 1 — Professional
Achievement Award
Meet the Aerospace Systems
STEREOTYPE BREAKERS
Rosco Newsom
Section Manager,
Aerospace Engineering
Black Engineer of the Year
Award — Tier 2 — Modern
Day Technology Leader
Award
Linda Reed
Program Planner,
Program Planning,
Aerospace Engineering
Society of Women
Engineers — Fellow
Grade Award
Vicky Harper-Hall
Sector Manager
Socio-Economic
Business Programs and
Government Relations
Women of Color in
Technology Award —
Tier 1 — Professional
Achievement Award
Latesha Young
Project Manager, Aerospace Engineering
Women of Color in Technology Award —
Tier 1 — Educational Leadership Award
Pernell Gray
Project Lead,
Responsible Design
Engineer, Aerospace
Engineering
Black Engineer of the Year
Award — Tier 2 — Modern
Day Technology Leader
Award
Hui Ma
Senior Staff Engineer,
Microelectronics Center
Women of Color in
Technology Award —
Tier 2 — Technology
All-Star Award
Richard Quinto
Electrical Systems
Design Engineer,
Aerospace Engineering
Hispanic Engineer
National Achievement
Awards Conference —
Luminary Award
Linda Reed Honored by
Society of Women Engineers
COMMUNITY SERVICE NEWS
DEBBIE BOHACS
Aerospace Systems’ Linda Reed was
honored in November at the annual
conference of the Society of Women
Engineers (SWE). Reed is a senior engineer
and master program planner, a key leadership
position for program execution for the sector
in El Segundo, Calif. Reed was honored in
recognition of continuous service to the
advancement of women in the engineering
profession.
She previously served as director for
Mission Assurance, Space Programs, for
Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems’
Navigation Systems Division and as director
for mission excellence infrastructure
for Northrop Grumman’s legacy Space
Technology sector. Reed is also a Six Sigma
master black belt and mentored 15 teams
in cost-reduction exercises that saved the
company millions of dollars. Earlier, she
ll across the country, Aerospace Systems employees helped bring
holiday joy into their communities as part of the sector’s Holiday
Giving program last month. From food drives and toy donations, to
holiday greetings for military serving overseas to providing phone
cards for the USO, employees spread holiday cheer with close to
$200,000 worth of contributions.
In addition, employees at many sites held fundraisers to support
the Holiday Giving programs. The fundraisers included creative, fun
events such as voting for a favorite pet photo, book and purse sales,
bake sales and making a donation to wear jeans to work on jeans days.
In Palmdale, Calif., employees voted for managers with a donation to
determine “Who’s Your Santa,” with the manager receiving the most
“votes” becoming Santa. The remaining managers dressed as elves at
the management holiday party. Many of the East Coast sites supported
the annual Marine Corps Toys for Tots program.
“Our employees are generous all year long, but most impressive is
our Holiday Giving program,” said Darryl Heath, manager, Corporate
Citizenship. “In Aerospace Systems, our employees have generously
donated thousands of dollars, hundreds of pounds of food and
countless toys to the communities in which we operate, and I’m proud
to be a part of it.”
HONORS AND AWARDS
was a Technology Product Area director
for RF products, responsible for integrated
microelectronics technology and production.
A 21-year and senior life member of SWE,
Reed’s activities on behalf of the Los Angeles
section were recognized with the Loring
Nicholson Award, which has been presented
only seven times in the history of the L.A.
section. Reed earned a bachelor’s degree in
electronic engineering from California State
El Segundo and Space University, Park Long Beach, Sites and Earn a bachelor’s
2010 SEED Awards for
from Michigan State University.
Environmental Also honored Leadership
were Electronic Systems’
degree in communications arts and sciences
Wendy Schauer Landwehr (Fellow Grade
Member Award), Debbie Edwards Veihdeffer
(Work-Life Balance Award) and Helen M.
Phillips (Emerging Leader in Construction and
Manufacturing Award).
Aerospace Systems Employees Bring
Joy of Holidays to Local Communities
16
Aerospace Now January 2011
January 2011 Aerospace Now 17
A Among
the sector’s holiday giving efforts in 2010, employees at the
Melbourne, Fla., site collected about $8,500 worth of toys for the U.S.
Marine Corps Toys for Tots program. Shown here (l-r) are Melbourne’s
Jennifer Bliss, Jarrod Rodamer and Susan Schulz.

greeNG/SAFETY/SECURITY NEWS
A
Oasis in the Desert
AMY AKMAL
What causes an oasis to bloom in the desert?
Just ask greeNG volunteers at the Palmdale
site.
Nestled in the arid and perpetually windy
Antelope Valley, the hotbed of some of our nation’s finest
aviation and aerospace feats, the site is breaking new
ground on another front: the company’s greeNG efforts.
Palmdale boasts the sector’s fastest-growing greeNG
Employee Resource Group and leads in fostering employee
engagement through its community relations efforts.
In November, 50 volunteers gathered for the site’s
first-ever “Adopt-A-Lot” initiative to pick up litter in
the Amargosa Creek basin and a neglected lot in the
neighboring city of Lancaster.
Lancaster Mayor Rex Parris assisted with cleanup efforts.
“We have come to the realization that the city can’t do
everything by itself,” Parris said. “We all have to pitch in to
have a clean city, and this is a great example of that.
Thank you.”
“Green” has been a best practice at the Palmdale site
for years. For more than two years, air conditioning gray
water has been reclaimed to create a lawn to help control
dust and improve air quality; 60 percent of the site has
already been retrofitted with energy-saving lighting;
and eco-friendly programs, such as appliance trade-ins,
Christmas tree light exchanges and the development
of community gardens in impoverished areas, are well
under way.
Deputy Site Manager Andy Reynolds echoed the
sentiments of Parris at Amargosa Creek. “Palmdale
is an engineering and manufacturing site, and we
constantly seek ways to reduce waste and preserve
our environment,” Reynolds said. “It certainly is a
group effort, and our volunteers demonstrate our
commitment to the environment as well as to our
community.”
Palmdale greeNG team member Joe Green helps
clean up trash in the Amargosa Creek basin.
Palmdale greeNG team members gather with Lancaster Mayor Rex Parris
after cleaning the half-mile stretch of Amargosa Creek.
Photos by Rebecca Amber, Aerotech News
Lancaster Mayor Rex Parris joined the greeNG team in its cleanup efforts.
18 Aerospace Now January 2011
January 2011 Aerospace Now 19