Northrop Gets Contract of Up to $2.7 Billion

Northrop Grumman Corp. was awarded a six-year contract valued at up to $2.7 billion for engineering and logistics support on the B-2 Stealth bomber, the Air Force said. Northrop said it already received its first order under the contract, for $2 million, for flight testing and long-range planning through the end of this year. The agreement is expected to run through 2005, and includes options for a total of 15 years. Los Angeles-based Northrop, which has made 21 B-2 Stealth bombers, expects to deliver the last of the B-2s next year. Northrop shares were unchanged at $65.69 on the New York Stock Exchange. News of the contract came after the markets closed.