In a move which effectively creates a defense and marine naval construction giant, Northrop Grumman Corp. and Litton Industries jointly announced late last month that they have signed a definitive agreement under which Northrop Grumman will acquire for cash all of the outstanding shares of Litton for $80 per common share and $35 per Series B Preferred share. The transaction is valued at approximately $5.1 billion, which includes the assumption of Litton's $1.3 billion in net debt. Litton is a leading supplier of advanced electronics and information systems to the U.S. government and international customers and is the premier designer and builder of non-nuclear surface combatant ships for U.S. and foreign navies.