Northrop Grumman Establishes Directed Energy Systems Unit, Names Art Stephenson Named Vice President of New Business Area

REDONDO BEACH, Calif., Feb. 10/Satnews Daily/ — Northrop Grumman Corp. said on Tuesday it (NYSE:NOC) has established a new business area -- Directed Energy Systems -- to help transition high-energy laser systems from the laboratory to warfighters.

Established at the company's Space Technology sector, DES, Northrop said, positions the company to better take advantage of upcoming opportunities in directed energy applications. In 2004, the Airborne Laser (ABL) program achieved 'first light' of the Northrop-built, megawatt-class laser, and the Tactical High Energy Laser (THEL) testbed proved its versatility by repeatedly shooting down mortars and large-caliber rockets in-flight.

"Because of the recent successes in proving the technology and engineering behind high-energy lasers, we believe the time has come to put these speed-of-light defensive capabilities into the hands of our warfighters," said Alexis Livanos, president of Northrop Grumman Space Technology.

Meanwhile, Art Stephenson, a 28-year company veteran and former director of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, has been named vice president of the DES unit.

Stephenson, 62, is responsible for Northrop Grumman's work on chemical lasers, solid-state lasers and rocket-based engagement systems. Chemical laser programs include the ABL and the THEL testbed. Solid-state lasers include the Joint High Power Solid-State Laser and the Strategic Illuminator Laser. Rocket-based engagement systems include the Active Protection System -- a radar-commanded, point-and-shoot system that can detect, track, intercept and defeat threats at a distance sufficient enough to ensure combat vehicles' survival on the battlefield.

The new business area includes affiliates Cutting Edge Optronics in St. Charles, Mo., and SYNOPTICS in Charlotte, N.C., both of which produce laser materials and components.

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