Northrop Grumman
A major American aerospace and defense technology company serving government and international customers across air, space, missile defense, cyber, and electronic systems.
Last updated October 20, 2026
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Overview
Northrop Grumman is an American aerospace and defense technology company headquartered in West Falls Church, Virginia. It designs, manufactures, integrates, and supports systems used across aeronautics, space, missile defense, military electronics, intelligence, cyber operations, and command-and-control. The company is one of the largest contractors to the United States federal government and has a business profile heavily concentrated in government programs; its international activity includes aircraft systems, radar, communications, space hardware, and support services. The modern company was created in 1994 when Northrop Corporation acquired Grumman Aerospace. The merger combined Northrop’s experience in flying-wing aircraft, stealth technology, tactical aircraft, and electronic systems with Grumman’s heritage in naval aviation, airborne early-warning aircraft, spacecraft, and the Apollo Lunar Module. Northrop Grumman subsequently expanded through acquisitions including Vought, Logicon, Ryan Aeronautical, Litton Industries, Newport News Shipbuilding, TRW, and Orbital ATK. These transactions broadened the company from an aircraft and electronics producer into a diversified prime contractor with capabilities spanning shipbuilding, space launch, strategic weapons, sensors, cyber, and mission services. Its principal operating areas are Aeronautics Systems, Defense Systems, Mission Systems, and Space Systems. Aeronautics Systems develops and supports strategic and tactical aircraft, including the B-21 Raider strategic bomber, B-2 Spirit, components and radar for the F-35 Lightning II, E-2 Hawkeye airborne early-warning aircraft, and MQ-4C Triton unmanned systems. Defense Systems works on missile defense, intercontinental ballistic-missile modernization, precision guidance, training, and command systems. Mission Systems supplies radars, sensors, electronic warfare, surveillance, communications, and battlefield-management technologies. Space Systems develops satellites, spacecraft, solid rocket motors, launch-vehicle components, space communications, missile-warning systems, and logistics hardware for programs such as NASA’s Lunar Gateway. Northrop Grumman’s portfolio includes both long-running platforms and programs still under development. The B-21 Raider is intended to become the next-generation U.S. strategic bomber and eventually replace the B-2. The company is also involved in the F-35 industrial team, the James Webb Space Telescope, the Cygnus cargo spacecraft, the Space Launch System’s solid rocket motors, the Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared missile-warning architecture, and the Glide Phase Interceptor program. In space transportation, it ended development of the OmegA launch vehicle in 2020 and has since worked with Firefly Aerospace on the upgraded Antares 330 and related U.S.-based production capabilities. The company’s business is closely tied to public procurement, national-security priorities, appropriations, export controls, and program execution. It has faced the normal risks of large defense programs, including cost growth, schedule pressure, technical uncertainty, and dependence on a small number of government customers. Northrop Grumman remains active in strategic aircraft, space systems, missile defense, unmanned systems, and advanced sensing, while also pursuing technologies such as autonomous underwater vehicles and in-space satellite servicing.
History
Northrop Grumman’s history combines two major American industrial lineages. Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation was established by Leroy R. Grumman in 1929 on Long Island, New York. It became an important supplier of naval aircraft and produced the F4F Wildcat, TBF Avenger, and F6F Hellcat during the Second World War. After the war, Grumman developed aircraft such as the F-14 Tomcat, airborne early-warning platforms, radars, missiles, and spacecraft. Its most prominent space achievement was the Apollo Lunar Module, which carried astronauts from lunar orbit to the Moon’s surface. Jack Northrop founded the company that became Northrop Corporation in California in 1939. Northrop developed the P-61 Black Widow night fighter during the Second World War and pursued lightweight fighters, including the F-5 and YF-17. The company also experimented with flying-wing aircraft such as the XB-35 and YB-49. Although those early flying wings did not enter operational service, their aerodynamic and engineering work contributed to the later B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, for which Northrop became the prime contractor. In 1994, Northrop acquired Grumman Aerospace and formed Northrop Grumman. During the following decade, the company expanded through acquisitions in aircraft, electronics, information technology, shipbuilding, surveillance, and space. It acquired defense-electronics operations from Westinghouse, Teledyne Ryan, Litton Industries, Newport News Shipbuilding, and TRW. The Litton and Newport News transactions strengthened Northrop Grumman’s naval and shipbuilding presence, although the shipbuilding business was later separated into Huntington Ingalls Industries in 2011. TRW added major space, laser, sensor, and systems-engineering capabilities. Northrop Grumman also became deeply involved in large U.S. defense programs. It was a principal industrial partner on the F-35 Lightning II and continued to provide aircraft structures, radar, sensors, and other systems. In 2001, the company acquired Litton Industries, and in 2002 it acquired TRW. In 2007, it acquired full ownership of Scaled Composites, the experimental aircraft company founded by Burt Rutan, after previously holding a minority stake. The company won the U.S. Air Force Long Range Strike Bomber competition in 2015. The resulting B-21 Raider program became the centerpiece of its modern aeronautics portfolio and is intended to replace older strategic bombers over time. In 2018, Northrop Grumman acquired Orbital ATK for approximately $9.2 billion in announced transaction value. The acquired business became Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems and brought launch vehicles, spacecraft, propulsion, strategic missiles, and space logistics into the group. In 2020, the business was reorganized, with most of Innovation Systems integrated into the new Space Systems sector. Recent activity has emphasized strategic space, missile defense, autonomous systems, and national-security infrastructure. Northrop Grumman has supported the James Webb Space Telescope, developed the Cygnus spacecraft, supplied motors for NASA’s Space Launch System, and received work on the Lunar Gateway HALO module. It discontinued OmegA development in 2020, while pursuing a U.S.-based evolution of Antares with Firefly Aerospace. In 2021, NASA selected Northrop Grumman to develop the Mars Ascent Propulsion System for a proposed Mars sample-return architecture. The B-21 began flight testing in 2023. In 2024, the company was selected for the Glide Phase Interceptor program and highlighted the Manta Ray unmanned underwater vehicle. Its continuing business is shaped by U.S. defense budgets, export controls, long-cycle procurement, and the technical demands of strategic aircraft, missile-warning, missile-defense, and space programs.
- 2024
Glide Phase Interceptor selection
[1]Northrop Grumman won the U.S. Missile Defense Agency competition to develop and build the Glide Phase Interceptor.
- 2023
B-21 begins flight testing
[1]The B-21 Raider entered flight testing as the company’s next-generation strategic bomber program progressed.
- 2021
Mars Ascent Propulsion System contract
[1]NASA selected Northrop Grumman to develop propulsion intended to launch samples from Mars as part of a sample-return architecture.
- 2020
Space Systems sector is created
[1]The former Innovation Systems business was reorganized into a broader Space Systems organization.
- 2018
Orbital ATK acquisition closes
[1]Northrop Grumman completed the acquisition of Orbital ATK, adding space launch, propulsion, spacecraft, and missile capabilities.
- 2015
Long Range Strike Bomber contract is awarded
[1]The U.S. Air Force selected Northrop Grumman to develop the aircraft later designated the B-21 Raider.
- 2011
Shipbuilding business is spun off
[1]Northrop Grumman separated its shipbuilding unit, which became Huntington Ingalls Industries.
- 2002
TRW is acquired
[1]TRW expanded Northrop Grumman’s space, laser, sensors, and systems-engineering portfolio.
- 2001
Litton Industries is acquired
[1]The transaction added shipbuilding and defense-electronics capabilities, including major naval industrial assets.
- 1994
Northrop and Grumman merge
[1]Northrop acquired Grumman Aerospace, creating Northrop Grumman.
Products and positioning
A high-end defense prime contractor focused on complex, mission-critical systems integration, strategic deterrence, advanced aeronautics, space infrastructure, sensing, and secure communications.
Strategic bomber · 2023
B-21 Raider
A next-generation strategic bomber developed for the United States Air Force. It is intended to deliver conventional and nuclear weapons, operate with supporting networks, and gradually replace the B-1B and B-2 fleets. The aircraft began flight testing in 2023 and is being developed as a digitally enabled platform for long-range operations.
Stealth strategic bomber · 1997
B-2 Spirit
A flying-wing stealth bomber for which Northrop Grumman was the prime contractor. The B-2 provides long-range conventional and nuclear strike capability and embodies the company’s historical expertise in low-observable aircraft and flying-wing design.
Military aircraft systems · 2006
F-35 Lightning II systems
Northrop Grumman is a principal industrial partner on the F-35 program, supplying major fuselage structures, radar, electronic systems, and the AN/AAQ-37 Distributed Aperture System. Its work supports the aircraft’s sensing, targeting, electronic protection, and situational-awareness functions.
Unmanned aerial vehicle · 2013
MQ-4C Triton
A high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aircraft designed for maritime surveillance and wide-area intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. Triton extends coverage over large ocean areas and complements crewed maritime-patrol and command systems.
Space observatory · 2021
James Webb Space Telescope
Northrop Grumman served as the primary contractor for NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, a large infrared observatory launched in 2021. The company led the spacecraft integration and supplied major systems, working with NASA, international agencies, and industry partners.
Uncrewed cargo spacecraft · 2013
Cygnus spacecraft
An uncrewed spacecraft used to deliver cargo and equipment to the International Space Station. Cygnus became part of Northrop Grumman’s portfolio through Orbital ATK and has also informed the company’s work on space logistics and the Lunar Gateway.
Lunar space habitat module
Lunar Gateway HALO
The Habitation and Logistics Outpost is a foundational pressurized module for NASA’s planned Lunar Gateway. Northrop Grumman is developing it from technologies related to Cygnus, with functions including crew habitation, command, communications, and logistics support.
Unmanned underwater vehicle · 2024
Manta Ray
An autonomous underwater vehicle developed under a DARPA effort for long-duration, long-range missions. Its design combines buoyancy-driven gliding with propellers and emphasizes endurance, distributed sensing, and limited dependence on continuous human control.
Brand decisions
2021
Sell federal IT and mission-support businessOtherBackground
The company elected to concentrate more heavily on aerospace, defense systems, mission systems, and space rather than retain a broad federal information-technology services portfolio.
Action taken
Northrop Grumman sold the business to Veritas Capital.
Aftermath
The divestiture sharpened the company’s focus on technology-intensive aerospace and national-security platforms.
Transaction value. $3.4 billion (2021)
2020
End OmegA launch-vehicle developmentOtherBackground
The OmegA rocket was intended to compete for U.S. national-security launch missions, but the company did not secure the relevant launch award.
Action taken
Northrop Grumman ended the OmegA program in September 2020.
Aftermath
The decision removed an in-house launch vehicle from the portfolio while the company retained space propulsion, spacecraft, and launch-support activities.
2020
Create an integrated Space Systems sectorStrategyBackground
Northrop Grumman reorganized its business after the Orbital ATK acquisition to align space hardware, propulsion, spacecraft, and related mission capabilities.
Action taken
Effective January 1, 2020, most of Innovation Systems was combined with other company operations into Space Systems.
Aftermath
Space became one of the company’s four principal operating sectors.
2018
Acquire Orbital ATKM&ABackground
Northrop Grumman sought to expand its space, propulsion, launch, and strategic-systems portfolio through the acquisition of Orbital ATK.
Action taken
It agreed to acquire Orbital ATK for approximately $9.2 billion in announced transaction value, including cash and assumed net debt, and closed the transaction after shareholder and regulatory approval.
Aftermath
The acquired business became Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems and was later integrated into the Space Systems sector.
Announced transaction value. Approximately $9.2 billion (2017 announcement; completed 2018)
Recent events
Lockheed Martin debuts PAC-3 Edge interceptor for U.S. Army Future Interceptor program[6]
Reported:
On Oct 9, 2026, Lockheed Martin debuted its new PAC-3 Edge interceptor for the U.S. Army's Future Interceptor program, which is currently in competition, with the Army having decided to progress Lockheed Martin into the next stage of development. The interceptor leverages combat-proven PAC-3 MSE technology, features a Lockheed Martin-built seeker from the company's Strigo Product Center and a multi-pulse solid rocket motor designed by Northrop Grumman. Lockheed Martin plans to advance development and begin testing PAC-3 Edge in 2027 to prepare for rapid deployment by 2031.
Northrop Grumman unveils Raid Hunter 50mm gun-based air-defense system[7]
Reported:
Northrop Grumman unveiled Raid Hunter, a 50mm gun-based air-defense system combining Chain Gun technology with precision-guided 50mm ammunition and a networked battle-management controller, designed to protect military bases and critical infrastructure from drone swarms, cruise missiles and other aerial threats.
Northrop unveils Scaled Composites Model 437 UAS design[8]
Reported:
Northrop Grumman unveiled the Scaled Composites Model 437, a low-cost unmanned aircraft system derived from its Model 401 demonstrator; the Model 437 remained a paper concept.
Veritas Capital completes acquisition of Northrop Grumman IT business[9]
Reported:
Veritas Capital completed its $3.4 billion cash acquisition of Northrop Grumman's IT and mission support services business, which was being folded into Veritas portfolio company Peraton.
- Unconfirmed
SpaceLogistics joins DARPA satellite-servicing program as commercial partner[10]
Reported:
Northrop Grumman subsidiary SpaceLogistics signed on as DARPA’s commercial partner for the Robotic Servicing of Geosynchronous Satellites program. DARPA will provide the robotics payload, while SpaceLogistics will provide the spacecraft bus and launch and operate the vehicle.
Northrop Grumman sponsors Northern Utah STEM conference[11]
Reported:
Northrop Grumman sponsored and hosted the 19th annual Expanding Your Horizons STEM conference in Northern Utah on Nov. 9, attended by roughly 400 girls in grades six through nine.
Blue Origin forms team for lunar lander development[12]
Reported:
Blue Origin said it had signed agreements with Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Draper to develop its lunar lander. The four companies planned to submit a proposal to NASA under its Artemis lunar program.
Sources14 sources
- 1Northrop Grummanen.wikipedia.org
- 2Northrop Grumman official websitenorthropgrumman.com
- 3NASA awards contract to build Gateway habitation modulenasa.gov
- 4Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation is establisheden.wikipedia.org
- 5Northrop Corporation is foundeden.wikipedia.org
- 6洛克希德·马丁为美国陆军未来拦截器项目发布PAC-3 Edge拦截弹prnewswire.com
- 7诺斯罗普·格鲁曼发布Raid Hunter 50毫米火炮防空系统zerohedge.com
- 8Northrop发布Scaled Composites Model 437无人机系统设计aviationweek.com
- 9Veritas Capital完成对Northrop Grumman IT业务的收购washingtontechnology.com
- 10SpaceLogistics成为DARPA卫星服务项目的商业合作伙伴aviationweek.com
- 11Northrop Grumman 赞助北犹他州 STEM 大会controldesign.com
- 12Blue Origin组建月球着陆器开发团队o.canada.com
- 13Bezos's Blue Origin partners with Lockheed, others on moon landerfinancialpost.com
- 14Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin partners with Lockheed and others on moon landerjapantimes.co.jp
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