SCIENCE

HOUSTON, TX -- An aircraft delivered to Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins, Georgia, today is the embodiment of a new era in airborne surveillance and target acquisition. Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) partnered with Compaq Computer Corporation (NYSE: CPQ) to outfit its latest super-sophisticated battlefield surveillance aircraft with commercial, off-the-shelf computers. While the aircraft being delivered today is the eleventh in the production series, it is the first to use commercial, off-the-shelf systems for that critical combat role. Known as Block 20 E-8C Joint Strategic Target Attack Radar System (J-STARS), the plane uses 20 Compaq AlphaServer(TM) ES40CV systems running the OpenVMS operating system. The AlphaServer systems and other systems on J-STARS provide accurate, real-time data and analysis about vehicles on the ground and slow-moving aircraft for peacekeeping missions and decision-making on the battlefield. "Traditionally, equipment used in the military surveillance and combat environments has been highly specialized and highly customized," said Rich Marcello, vice president and general manager of Compaq's High Performance Systems division. "The fact that commercially available technology like Compaq's OpenVMS-based AlphaServer ES40CV systems can be integrated into those environments is a testament to the performance, reliability and functionality of Compaq's industry-leading technology." "We applaud the initiative to use Compaq's commercial, off-the-shelf AlphaServer systems in the J-STARS aircraft," said Ron Ross, president of Compaq Federal LLC. "And we're equally pleased that more and more government agencies are turning to Compaq -- whether they need the mobility of an iPAQ Pocket PC, innovative Evo desktops or laptop units, market leading Compaq ProLiant(TM) industry-standard servers, or a total services-led IT enterprise solution." For more information visit www.compaq.com