Northrop Grumman
NOCNorthrop Grumman Corporation is a global aerospace and defense technology company that is a leading provider of space systems, launch vehicles, and satellite solutions.
- Founded
- 1939
- Headquarters
- Falls Church, United States
- Stage
- Public
- Ownership
- Listed
- Market cap
- $73.7B-10.1% 30d
- Employees
- 95,000as of 2025
Quick Facts
About Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a global aerospace and defense technology company that is a leading provider of space systems, launch vehicles, and satellite solutions. The company's Space Systems sector, headquartered in Dulles, Virginia, develops and manufactures satellites, spacecraft components, and the Antares rocket while providing propulsion systems for various launch vehicles.
Northrop Grumman ranks among the largest defense contractors in the world and is a significant player in the space industry. The company employs over 100,000 people globally, with substantial workforce dedicated to space programs. Under CEO Kathy Warden, Northrop Grumman provides end-to-end space solutions from components to complete spacecraft systems.
History and Milestones
Northrop Grumman's space heritage traces to multiple predecessor companies. Orbital Sciences Corporation, founded in 1982, became a pioneer in small rockets and satellites, developing the Pegasus air-launched vehicle and Minotaur rocket family. Orbital ATK formed through the 2015 merger of Orbital Sciences and ATK Aerospace, combining launch vehicles, satellites, and solid rocket motor capabilities.
Northrop Grumman acquired Orbital ATK in 2018 for $9.2 billion, creating a comprehensive space systems business. The acquisition brought the Antares rocket, Cygnus cargo spacecraft, and solid rocket motor manufacturing to Northrop Grumman's portfolio.
The company's solid rocket motors power the Space Launch System boosters, supporting NASA's Artemis program. Cygnus spacecraft have delivered cargo to the International Space Station since 2014 under NASA's Commercial Resupply Services contracts.
Products and Services
Northrop Grumman develops and manufactures a wide range of satellites including national security payloads, communications satellites, and scientific spacecraft. The company builds satellite buses and components for both government and commercial customers, with particular expertise in classified missions.
The Antares rocket, developed originally by Orbital Sciences, launches Cygnus cargo missions from Wallops Island, Virginia. Cygnus spacecraft deliver supplies to the ISS and provide reboost capability. The company also produces Minotaur rockets from decommissioned ICBM motors for small payloads.
Northrop Grumman supplies solid rocket boosters for ULA's Atlas V and the Space Launch System. The company manufactures propulsion systems, structures, and spacecraft components sold to other prime contractors and government agencies.
Technology and Capabilities
Northrop Grumman operates advanced manufacturing facilities for spacecraft assembly and solid rocket motor production. The company's Utah operations produce SLS boosters and commercial solid motors, while facilities in Arizona, Virginia, and California handle satellite development.
The company has pioneered satellite servicing through its SpaceLogistics subsidiary, operating the Mission Extension Vehicle (MEV) that docks with customer satellites to provide station-keeping and life extension. This technology enables in-orbit servicing as a commercial business.
Northrop Grumman develops advanced payloads for national security missions including sensing, communications, and missile warning satellites. The company also provides ground systems, operations services, and cybersecurity solutions for space programs.
Business and Financial Overview
Northrop Grumman trades on NYSE under NOC with a market capitalization exceeding $70 billion. The Space Systems sector generates approximately $13-14 billion in annual revenue, representing about 35% of company revenue. Space programs include both cost-plus government contracts and fixed-price commercial arrangements.
Major contracts include NASA's Commercial Resupply Services, SLS booster production, various classified satellite programs, and international sales. The company competes for NASA exploration contracts and Department of Defense space programs.
The satellite servicing business through SpaceLogistics represents a growth area, with multiple MEV contracts signed with commercial operators. Northrop Grumman invests in next-generation capabilities including advanced propulsion, autonomous systems, and space logistics.
Recent Developments
In 2024, Northrop Grumman continued Cygnus cargo missions to the ISS and SLS booster production for Artemis. The company advanced its next-generation rocket propulsion technologies and expanded satellite servicing operations with SpaceLogistics.
The company won significant contract awards for national security space programs and continued development of the Habitation and Logistics Outpost (HALO) module for NASA's Lunar Gateway. Northrop Grumman also advanced autonomous spacecraft capabilities and satellite constellation programs.
Development progressed on upgraded Antares rocket configurations and expanded solid propulsion capabilities. The company invested in advanced manufacturing and digital engineering to improve production efficiency across space programs.
Market Position
Northrop Grumman ranks among the top five space and defense companies globally, competing with Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Raytheon, and L3Harris. In space specifically, the company competes with these primes plus SpaceX and emerging companies for both government and commercial programs.
Competitive advantages include comprehensive capabilities from components to complete systems, strong national security customer relationships, and unique solid rocket motor manufacturing capacity. The company's satellite servicing business has first-mover advantages in a growing market segment.
Strategic priorities include expanding space logistics and servicing capabilities, advancing propulsion technology, winning next-generation satellite programs, and growing international space business.
Products and product lines
| Product | Line | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Cygnus (incl. Cygnus XL) | ISS cargo spacecraft | Cargo resupply spacecraft for the International Space Station; the extended-capacity Cygnus XL variant made its first flight on the NG-23 mission in September 2025. |
| Antares 330 | Launch vehicle (in development) | Next-generation Antares first stage using seven Firefly-built Miranda engines, replacing the Ukrainian/Russian-sourced RD-181 design; first flight, carrying Cygnus NG-22, is not planned before 2027. |
| GEM solid rocket boosters | Rocket propulsion | Solid rocket boosters supplied for ULA's Vulcan Centaur (and formerly Atlas V) launch vehicles. |
| SDA Tranche 3 Tracking Layer satellites | Missile-tracking satellite | 18 missile-warning/tracking (MW/MT) satellites under a $764 million Space Development Agency contract awarded 19 December 2025. |
| HALO (Habitation and Logistics Outpost) | Lunar space station module | Pressurized habitat module for NASA's Gateway lunar space station; NASA's Gateway program page lists HALO's arrival in the United States among recent milestones, with the Gateway mission still targeting a launch no earlier than 2027. |
| SpaceLogistics MEV/MRV | In-space satellite servicing | Commercial satellite life-extension and servicing subsidiary operating the Mission Extension Vehicle fleet. |
| Golden Dome space-based interceptors | Missile defense | Space-based missile interceptor development for the Pentagon's Golden Dome program, including an April 2026 Space Force prototype award and a June 2026 partnership with satellite maker Apex. |
Timeline
- 2024 Northrop Grumman beats Raytheon to win the Missile Defense Agency's Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI) development contract on 26 September, working with Japan's Ministry of Defense under a cooperative arrangement. [source]
- 2025 Cygnus XL, an extended-capacity variant of the cargo spacecraft, makes its first flight on the NG-23 mission to the ISS in September. [source]
- 2025 The Space Development Agency awards Northrop Grumman $764 million on 19 December to build 18 Tranche 3 Tracking Layer missile-warning/tracking satellites. [source]
- 2026 The U.S. Space Force awards Other Transaction Authority agreements worth up to $3.2 billion combined to 12 companies, including Northrop Grumman, to develop Golden Dome space-based interceptor prototypes, reported 24 April. [source]
- 2026 Northrop Grumman partners with satellite manufacturer Apex to develop space-based interceptors for the Golden Dome missile defense program, reported 1 June. [source]
- 2026 The Antares 330 first stage, developed with Firefly Aerospace using seven Miranda engines, remains pre-flight; Wikipedia's Antares article lists the type's debut, carrying Cygnus NG-22, as targeted for 2027. [source]
Kathy Warden (Chair, CEO & President)
Team
Signals
- Market cap, 90 days
- -5.7%
- Verification
- Verified 2026-09-09
Categories & Capabilities
Industry Categories
Vehicle Types
Propulsion Systems
Stock Performance
NOC · Daily close data
Funding
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Frequently asked about Northrop Grumman
Quick answers to the questions readers most often search for.
- When was Northrop Grumman founded?
- Northrop Grumman was founded in 1939 in United States.
- Where is Northrop Grumman headquartered?
- Northrop Grumman is headquartered in Falls Church, United States.
- What does Northrop Grumman do?
- Northrop Grumman Corporation is a global aerospace and defense technology company that is a leading provider of space systems, launch vehicles, and satellite solutions. The company's Space Systems sector, headquartered in Dulles, Virginia, develops and manufactures satellites, spacecraft components, and the Antares roc…
- Is Northrop Grumman publicly traded?
- Yes. Northrop Grumman trades under the ticker NOC on NYSE.
- What sector does Northrop Grumman operate in?
- Northrop Grumman works in launch services, Satellite manufacturing and Defense.
Sources
The structured fields on this page (founding year, location, sector, status, listing) and the profile text are drawn from the sources below. How profiles are drafted and checked is described in our methodology.
- Official website (northropgrumman.com)
- Market data via Yahoo Finance (NOC) · retrieved 2026-09-14
- Company LinkedIn page
- SEC 10-K · retrieved 2026-09-04
- Wikidata / Wikipedia · retrieved 2026-09-04
- Shephard Media: Northrop Grumman selected to develop hypersonic missile interceptor (26 Sep 2024) · retrieved 2026-09-09
- Wikipedia: Cygnus (spacecraft) — NG-23/Cygnus XL first flight, September 2025 · retrieved 2026-09-09
- Wikipedia: Antares (rocket) — Antares 330 / Firefly Miranda engine partnership and 2027 debut target · retrieved 2026-09-09
- Space Development Agency: SDA Makes Awards to Build 72 Tracking Layer Satellites for Tranche 3 (19 Dec 2025) · retrieved 2026-09-09
- SpaceNews: Space Force awards up to $3.2 billion for Golden Dome interceptor prototypes (24 Apr 2026) · retrieved 2026-09-09
- SpaceNews: Northrop Grumman partners with Apex on space-based interceptors for Golden Dome (1 Jun 2026) · retrieved 2026-09-09
- NASA: Gateway program page (HALO arrival milestone, launch no earlier than 2027) · retrieved 2026-09-09
- Northrop Grumman: corporate leadership page (Robert Fleming, President, Space Systems) · retrieved 2026-09-09
Data Accuracy Notice: Information about Northrop Grumman is compiled from publicly available sources including company websites, press releases, regulatory filings, and industry reports. Data is reviewed periodically but may not reflect the most recent developments.