FILE PHOTO - The corporate logo of Northrop Grumman is shown on a Fire Scout MQ-8 B unmanned helicopter during a ceremony at Naval Air Station North Island in Coronado, California, May 2, 2013. REUTERS/Mike Blake

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Defense Department on Thursday awarded a $450 million contract to Northrop Grumman Corp NOC.N to produce the Joint Threat Emitter, a mobile air defense threat simulator, as well as support equipment, testing and training.