Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman Corporation, headquartered in West Falls Church, Virginia, is one of the world's largest aerospace and defense companies, specializing in the design, development, and manufacturing of advanced systems for aeronautics, defense, space, and missions. As the 5th largest contractor of the U.S. federal government, Northrop Grumman receives over 2% of total federal government spending on contractors, reflecting its critical role in national security and defense. The company was formed in 1994 through the merger of Northrop Corporation (founded in 1939 by aviation pioneer John K. 'Jack' Northrop) and Grumman Aerospace Corporation (founded in 1929 by Leroy Grumman), combining two legendary aerospace companies with complementary capabilities and heritage. In 2024, Northrop Grumman generated $41.03 billion in revenue, marking a 4.44% increase year-over-year, with full-year net earnings of $4.2 billion, representing a 103% increase over 2023. The company operates through four primary business segments: Aeronautics Systems (27.5% of revenue), Mission Systems (26.1% of revenue), Space Systems (26.8% of revenue), and Defense Systems (19.6% of revenue), providing a diversified portfolio of capabilities across the defense and aerospace spectrum. Northrop Grumman is renowned for developing some of the most advanced and iconic aerospace platforms in history, including the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, the next-generation B-21 Raider strategic bomber, the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye airborne early warning aircraft, the MQ-4C Triton unmanned aerial vehicle, the F-35 Lightning II (as a major supplier), and the revolutionary James Webb Space Telescope. The company employs cutting-edge technologies in areas such as autonomous systems, cyber security, artificial intelligence, directed energy, space exploration, missile defense, and advanced manufacturing. With a backlog of $91.5 billion as of the end of 2024, representing a book-to-bill ratio of 1.23, Northrop Grumman has a robust pipeline of future work supporting critical national security priorities. The company's strategic focus includes the B-21 Raider long-range stealth bomber program, the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) program known as Sentinel to replace the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles, the Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI) for missile defense, and continued innovation in space systems and autonomous platforms. In 2024, the company made significant technological advances including unveiling the Manta Ray underwater drone for DARPA and winning the competition to develop the Glide Phase Interceptor for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency. Northrop Grumman's commitment to innovation, coupled with increased global defense spending driven by geopolitical tensions, positions the company for continued growth and leadership in the aerospace and defense industry.