U.S. Congressman Robert J. Wittman, a member of the House Armed Services Committee's Seapower and Expeditionary Forces subcommittee, applauded the forward-looking decisions of the United States Navy and the Northrop Grumman Corporation.

"I'm proud to see that over 300 jobs will be committed to this integral shipbuilding project by year's end. In the face of a weakened economy, procuring long-lead construction items and raw materials at a reduced cost is a sensible and fiscally responsible approach towards rebuilding our naval fleet and economy," said Wittman.

Since being elected to Congress in 2007 and selected as Co-Chair of the Congressional Shipbuilding Caucus, Wittman has established himself nationally as a strong advocate for national defense and rebuilding our military and commercial fleet and industrial base. The First Congressional District of Virginia is home to Dahlgren Naval Station, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Fort A.P. Hill, Yorktown Naval Weapons Station, Coast Guard Training Center Yorktown, and the world's finest shipyard in Newport News, VA.