Northrop Grumman

Type: Public
Founded: 1927 (in 1994, company took on current name), Denver, Colorado
Headquarters: Los Angeles, California
Key people: Ronald Sugar, Chairman and CEO
Industry: Aerospace and defense
Products: Aircraft carriers, military aircraft, satellites, missile defense systems, advanced electronic sensors and systems, Information Technology, ships, and systems
Website: NorthropGrumman.com

General Information

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) is an aerospace and defense conglomerate that is the result of the 1994 purchase of Grumman by Northrop. The company is the third largest defense contractor for the U.S. military, and the number-one builder of naval vessels. Northrop Grumman employs over 122,000 people worldwide. Its 2006 annual revenue is reported at US$30 billion. Northrop Grumman ranks #73 on the 2007 Fortune 500 list of U.S. industrial companies.

Accolades

Northrop Grumman was named Forbes's Company of the Year in 2002. Forbes's announcement credited the company with 'master[ing] the art of innovation.' Northrop Grumman no longer appears on their list of America's 400 Best Big Companies, however. Northrop Grumman is credited with sponsoring educational programs and donating thousands of dollars to various charities. Many members of the U.S. government have attended company events and spoken highly of the company and its contributions.

Business Sectors

The company is split into several business units, each of which operates fairly independently. These business units have generally been created through acquisitions.

Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems was created by Northrop Grumman's acquisition of Westinghouse Electronic Systems Group in 1996. The Electronic Systems sector is a leading designer, developer, and manufacturer of a wide variety of advanced defense electronics and systems. The division has 120 locations worldwide, including 72 international offices, and approximately 24,000 employees. It accounted for 20% of company sales in 2004.[30] Electronic Systems is headquartered in the Baltimore metropolitan area.

Information Technology is the sector charged with providing information systems and services to clients. It also handles training and simulation contracts.

Mission Systems deals with missile systems, command, control and intelligence, as well as technical and management services.

Integrated Systems support the aerospace and defense industries, providing the U.S. military with intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and integrated strike warfare.

Northrop Grumman Newport News is the largest privately owned shipyard in the United States and the only one that can build Nimitz-class supercarriers. It is located in Newport News, Virginia, and often participates in projects with the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Virginia.

Northrop Grumman Ship Systems is responsible for building small and medium shipping products. It consists of the former Ingalls Shipbuilding and Avondale Shipyard companies.

Space Technology deals primarily with satellites, and SDI systems.

Technical Services is a new business unit formed January 1, 2006. Northrop Grumman describes the sector as working in 'the logistics support, sustainment, and technical services marketplace.'