Northrop Will Equip Air Force Spy Plane

Northrop Grumman Corp., maker of the Global Hawk unmanned spy plane used in Afghanistan, received a $147-million contract from the Air Force to equip the plane with audio sensors.

The Global Hawk now only takes pictures. It will get audio sensors starting in 2007. The contract also calls for adding a communications system that could be used by commercial-air-traffic controllers.

Northrop also said it completed the $4.7-billion sale of TRW Automotive to private equity firm Blackstone Group.

Shares of Los Angeles-based Northrop closed down 8 cents at $86.62 on the New York Stock Exchange.