Guide Note

Northrop Grumman is a global defense conglomerate. The company has traditionally focused on naval and aerospace manufacturing, although they are also known for their technological production including sensors and systems that accompany their other products. It is currently the leading builder of naval vessels, and the second largest contractor to the United States Military.

Fast Facts

1. Stock symbol: NOC¹
2. Annual revenue (2007): $32 billion²
3. Merger between Northrop Corporation (est. 1939) and Grumman Aerospace (est. 1929)
4. Established: 1994
5. Industry: Aerospace and defense manufacturing
6. Phone: 310-553-6262
7. Fax: 310-201-3023
8. Headquarters: Los Angeles, California
9. President/CEO: Ronald D. Sugar
10. CFO: James F. Palmer
11. Chief competitor: Lockheed Martin

Following an appeal filed by Boeing, the Government Accountability Office stripped Northrop Grumman of a $35 billion contract awarded by the U.S. Air Force. The office cited various errors in the initial bidding process that lead to Northrop being contracted to replace 179 refueling planes. The new bidding competition, overseen by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, will determine a new contract winner by the end of 2008.

• December 6, 1929: Grumman Aeronautical Engineering Company is founded by Leroy Grumman, Jake Swirbul, and William Schwendler

• 1939: Northrop Aircraft Incorporated is founded by John K. Northrop

• 1994: Northrop merges with Grumman

• 1996: Acquires Westinghouse Defense Electronics, a major electronic systems manufacturer

• 1997: Acquires Logicon Corporation, an information systems company geared towards military and commercial applications

• 1999: Acquires Teledyne Ryan Aeronautical, a major reconnaissance, surveillance, and targeting systems developer

• 2001: Acquires Litton Industries, a major supplier of electronics systems for naval fleets worldwide

• 2001: Acquires Newport News Shipbuilding, one of only two companies equipped to build nuclear-powered submarines

• 2002: Acquires TRW Incorporated, a major developer of military and civil space systems, including satellite launching, operation, and maintenance.

Northrop Grumman operates seven business units: Electronic Systems, Information Technology, Integrated Systems, Ship Systems, Mission Systems, Space Technology and Technical Services.