
Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is the sensors and electronics sector of Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC), headquartered in Linthicum, Maryland. The sector builds airborne radars for fighters including the F-35, the Marine Corps AN/TPS-80 G/ATOR ground radar, electronic warfare systems, navigation and targeting equipment, and naval mission systems. Roshan S. Roeder serves as sector president. Parent Northrop Grumman reported FY2025 sales of $42.0 billion.
Parent Company
Founded
1994
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Northrop Grumman Mission Systems | Northrop Grumman Corporation | Brand division |
The sector's roots lie in the Westinghouse defense electronics business in Baltimore, which built airborne radars for decades and was acquired by Northrop in 1996 for approximately $3 billion. Litton Industries followed in 2000, adding inertial navigation, electronic warfare, and the "Litton Systems" heritage that traces to World War II-era precision instruments. TRW's 2002 acquisition added space and ground sensor payload experience.
Through the 2000s the electronics business operated as Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems, producing the AN/APG-77 radar for the F-22, the AN/APG-81 radar for the F-35, and fire control radars across the fighter fleet. In 2019 Northrop reorganized its portfolio, folding Electronic Systems together with land, maritime, and C4ISR businesses into the new Mission Systems sector.
Marquee programs since then include the AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) for the Marine Corps, a multi-mission radar that entered full-rate production, and the AN/ALQ-257 Integrated Viper Electronic Warfare Suite (IVEWS), which won selection to upgrade the F-16 fleet's electronic protection against modern threats.
The sector also produces airborne early warning radars associated with the E-2D, maritime surveillance and shipboard systems, precision navigation units, and battlefield communication systems. Its advanced microelectronics foundry work in Maryland fabricates classified semiconductors for defense programs.
Through 2025 and 2026 the sector has benefited from surging demand for air defense radars, electronic warfare upgrades, and networked sensors across the U.S. services and NATO allies, driven by lessons from the Ukraine conflict about electronic warfare and integrated sensing.
What does Northrop Grumman own?
Northrop Grumman operates four sectors: Aeronautics Systems, Defense Systems, Mission Systems, and Space Systems. Major programs include the B-21 Raider bomber, Sentinel ICBM, Cygnus spacecraft, Triton and Global Hawk drones, and solid rocket motors.
Is Northrop Grumman publicly traded?
Yes. Northrop Grumman trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol NOC and is a component of the S&P 500. Its shares are widely held by institutional investors.
Who founded Northrop Grumman?
The company was formed in 1994 when Northrop Corporation acquired Grumman Corporation for approximately $2.1 billion. Northrop was founded in 1939 by Jack Northrop and Grumman was founded in 1929 by Leroy Grumman.
Where is Northrop Grumman headquartered?
Northrop Grumman is headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, USA. It moved its headquarters from Los Angeles to the Washington, DC area in 2011.
Who owns Northrop Grumman?
Northrop Grumman is owned by its public shareholders. Major institutional holders include Vanguard, BlackRock, and State Street. No single shareholder controls the company.
What is Northrop Grumman's revenue?
Northrop Grumman reported FY2025 sales of $42.0 billion, up 2% from $41.0 billion in FY2024. Net earnings were $4.2 billion and diluted EPS was $29.08. The backlog reached a record $95.7 billion.
How many brands does Northrop Grumman own?
Northrop Grumman operates under a single corporate brand organized into four business sectors. It does not own consumer brands; its public-facing identities are its sectors and major defense programs such as B-21, Sentinel, and Cygnus.
As a defense electronics supplier, the sector's scrutiny comes from program testing and procurement oversight rather than consumer controversies.
Radar program scrutiny: Major radar programs including G/ATOR have gone through extended operational testing documented in Pentagon Director of Operational Test and Evaluation reports. G/ATOR passed its milestones and entered full-rate production after addressing early reliability findings.
Export control compliance: Radar and electronic warfare systems fall under International Traffic in Arms Regulations. The sector operates under strict export licensing, and violations or alleged violations are handled through State Department consent agreements, which major contractors periodically enter.
Classified work: A substantial share of sector revenue derives from classified sensor and microelectronics programs, which limits public transparency into program performance. This is standard for the sector but reduces outside scrutiny visibility.
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| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northrop Grumman | USA | 1994 | Mass market | United states | All Genders | |
| Northrop Grumman | USA | 2018 | Mass market | United states | All Genders | |
| Northrop Grumman | USA | 2018 | Mass market | United states | All Genders |
Aerospace DefenseOwned by Northrop Grumman Corporation
Aeronautics sector of Northrop Grumman, builder of the B-21 Raider stealth bomber, E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, and MQ-4C Triton and RQ-4 Global Hawk surveillance aircraft for the U.S. military and allies.
Aerospace DefenseOwned by Northrop Grumman Corporation
Weapons and munitions sector of Northrop Grumman, producing solid rocket motors, precision munitions, missile defense interceptors, and the U.S. Army's Integrated Battle Command System.
Aerospace DefenseOwned by Northrop Grumman Corporation
Space sector of Northrop Grumman, prime contractor for the Sentinel ICBM, builder of the Cygnus cargo spacecraft, missile warning satellites, and solid rocket boosters for ULA's Vulcan rocket.
Market Positioning: Northrop Grumman Mission Systems competes with 3 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
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