Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) and AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company (FNC IM, SIFI.MI) announced today that they have signed a comprehensive teaming agreement to respond to anticipated requests for both the new Air Force Combat Rescue Helicopter and the Navy’s recently announced program to develop a new “Marine One” Presidential Helicopter. A US built helicopter based on the AW101 platform will be offered by Northrop Grumman to meet these requirements.

The teaming of Northrop Grumman’s proven management and systems integration expertise with AgustaWestland’s world-renowned rotorcraft manufacturing and advanced helicopter design/development, offers both programs an optimum mix of capability to successfully bring the best possible new combat rescue helicopter to the Air Force and the best possible new Presidential helicopter to the Navy-Marine Corps team.

Northrop Grumman’s successes in managing the development of complex air systems are unequaled—from fully autonomous strategic unmanned systems like the Fire Scout, to the E-2D Hawkeye, the B-2 bomber and the E-8 Joint Stars. Couple that with the continuous investment in rotorcraft technology development AgustaWestland has made to field the world’s most advanced, rugged and reliable helicopters, and both the Air Force and the Navy will receive and field the best possible affordable systems.

Northrop Grumman and AgustaWestland are partnering to offer total solutions without compromise: proven, advanced rotorcraft, built in the United States, and fully integrated with the most advanced mission suites, integrated onboard sensors and communications systems available in the world today – systems that will meet the future needs of both programs.  The AW101 system is a mature, reliable, highly capable and combat-proven multi-mission aircraft that affordably meets the needs of the nation’s combat search and rescue (CSAR) forces and will serve the Nations’ Presidents far into the future.

“This is a strong partnership between two companies that combines each company’s strengths,” said Paul Meyer, vice president and general manager of Advanced Programs and Technology at Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems sector. “While Northrop Grumman has broad expertise in systems integration of large aircraft programs, AgustaWestland has world-leading expertise in global rotorcraft and vertical-lift. We believe that this industry partnership will bring together the best experience, expertise and resources, ensuring that the customer receives the best solution.”

“We are delighted to have Northrop Grumman as a partner, with their impressive history of supporting the U.S. Department of Defense,” said Bruno Spagnolini, CEO of AgustaWestland. “We strongly believe that the AW101 is the right aircraft for both missions and that this team can succeed.”

AgustaWestland is a global aerospace leader in military and commercial vertical-lift. With more than 100 years of experience in the aerospace industry, AgustaWestland provides and services over 4700 aircraft in over 90 countries around the world and services for every military, government and commercial application. Please visit www.agustawestland.com for more information.

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 www.northropgrumman.com for more information.