May 28, 2003 - Cobham plc announces that it has reached agreement with Northrop Grumman Corporation, to acquire, subject to regulatory approvals, the business and assets of Northrop Grumman's Litton Life Support unit (Life Support). The agreed consideration is $73 million payable in cash, subject to final adjustment at completion and will be funded from Cobham's existing cash resources.

Life Support, located in Davenport, Iowa, designs and manufactures air separation systems for military and commercial aircraft, medical and industrial applications and is a leader in the application of gas separation technology and the design of cryogenic coolers. Its turnover in the financial year ended 31 December 2002 was $43.7 million, earning pre-tax profits of $9.8 million and it had net assets as of 30 April 2003 of $11.6 million.

Commenting on the acquisition Allan Cook, Chief Executive of Cobham, said: 'We are delighted to be able to announce the acquisition of Life Support which enhances our position in the important and growing air separation and supply industry for the aerospace and defence markets world-wide. Life Support will complement our successful investment in Carleton Technologies and our recently announced acquisition of Drager Aerospace in Europe, which is expected to complete in June 2003.'

Enquiries:

Cobham plc Tel: +44 1202 882 020
Allan Cook, Chief Executive
Giles Irwin, Group Financial Director

BNP Paribas
Nicholas Beatty, Director Tel: +44 20 7595 6703
Jean-Paul Ange, Director Tel: +1 212 841 3329

College Hill
Matthew Smallwood Tel: +44 20 7457 2020