Oligopoly brief: Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman is the #2 world defense contractor, behind Lockheed Martin and ahead of Boeing. It is the #1 builder of naval vessels, ahead of General Dynamics. By on estimate, 85% of the company's income comes from the US government. It is the the leading contractor in missile launch technology, ship turbines, land missile systems, and missile-protection systems for aircraft.
The current company is the result of a series of spectacular mergers and acquisitions over the past decade. The company is the result of the 1994 merger of Northrop Aircraft, a company that really started in World War II, and Grumman Corporation, a military aircraft manufacturer started in the 1930s. Grumman also built the Lunar Module that landed astronauts on the moon.
- In 1996, the company acquired the defense electronics business of Westinghouse Electric. Westinghouse was a major manufacturer of radar systems.
- In 1997, the company acquired Logicon, a major defense computer contractor.
- In 1999, the company acquired Teledyne, a major developer of surveillance systems and unmanned aircraft.
- In 2001, the company acquired Litton Industries, a major shipbuilder and a provider of defense electronics systems to the navy.
- In 2001, it acquired Norfolk News Ship[building, the major maker of aircraft carriers for the US navy, and one of two makers of nuclear-powered subs in the US 9General Dynamics is the other).
- In 2002, it acquired TRW, a leader in space systems and laser systems.
In addition, there have a number of smaller deals over the years. The most recent are XonTech, involved in missile defense technology, and Ilifen Simulation Technologies, a maker of navigation software.
A World Policy Institute article ("Military Merger Madness", 12/26/2002) noted after the TRW merger.
This string of mergers and acquisitions created a company that is uniquely strong in both the metal bending work of building ships and planes and the cutting edge work in electronics and intelligence gathering.
And more than gaining technology with each merger, Northrop Grumman gained influence:
the TRW and Northrop Grumman merger also combines extraordinary political clout. Together Northrop Grumman and TRW have spent over $20 million on lobbying members of Congress and given about $4 million in campaign contributions in the last five years.
It'san amazing ten year migration from a mid-size airplane maker to a dominnat power in all facets of the defense industry.
Divisions
Naval
- Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipbuilding manufactures all US aircraft carriers and is a major supplier of nuclear submarines.
- Amsec LLC is a partnership between Northrop Grumman and Science Applications International. It provides naval engineering and architecture services as well as naval maintenance services
- Northrop Grumman Ship Systems Ingalls Operations builds a range of commercial and military ships including container vessels,
- Northrop Grumman Ship Systems Avondale Operations builds assault ships. It also build s commercial ships like icebreakers, tankers, and cargo ships.
- Sperry Marine makes navigation systems for ships and boats
Aerospace
- B-2 bomber, E-8c Surveillance aircraft, RQ-4A unmanned vehicle, T-38 supersonic trainer for US Air Force
- BQM-74E, C-2 Greyhound, E-2C Hawkeye, EA-6B Prowler, F-14 Tomcat, FireCat, for the US NAvy
- F-5 Tiger, T-38 Talon, E-2C Hawkeye, F/A 19 Hornet, Chukar III, sold internationally
- AWACS aerial surveillance systems.
- UK-based Park Air Systems makes navigation, traffic control, and communications equipment for military and commercial aircraft.
- Space technology develops satellites, propulsion systems, and mission payloads for NASA (including the Pioneer series). It develops defensive laser systems (Star Wars) and other military equipment
- Northrop Grumman Information Systems (formerly Logicon) sells such IT products as both strategic and tactical command systems and rocket launch systems.
Radars
- C4 systems which use radars to collect air defense information. Northrop Grumman is the world's largest radar maker, with over 850 ground-based radar installations.
- Airspace Management radar systems used to monitor air traffic
- Combat avionics radar systems for various military aircraft, mostly the F-16 fighter.
- Battlefield surveillance systems like ARL and STARS.
- Satellite Communications Group is what its name indicates...
Other
- REMOTEC UK makes remote-control vehicles for handling explosives and other hazardous materials. These have both military and commercial uses.
Vinnell Corporation sets up and maintains domestic and overseas communications for the US military. It also provides training for the military
Laser rangefinders and laser targeting systems,
- Mini-submarines used by Navy SEALs.
- EOS (Electric Optical Systems) , providing night vision glasses for soldiers and infrared scanners
- Xetron, Denro Systems, and California Microwave Systems divisions offer specialized communications systems with high confidentiality, for military use.
- Logistics and field service operations.
6:07:54 PM 
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