According to the latest ranking by SIPRI, Northrop Grumman is the fourth-largest arms company in the world. (SIPRI rankings 2020)
The company’s activites are divided into three major “business sectors”: Aerospace Systems, Mission Systems and Technology Services. These include the areas of Cyber, Logistics, Autonomous systems, C4ISR [Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance] and “Strike”. (company website)
Northrop Grumman’s portfolio includes combat aircraft such as the ground-attack A-10 and the B-2 Spirit “stealth” bomber. It also manufactures a wide range of military drones, including the Global Hawk which is used in surveillance and targeting.
The company has long been active in the provision of nuclear missiles. It declares that it has been “involved in every United States ground based ballistic missile program since 1955” (company website). It was the lead contractor of the US ICBM programme until re-organisation in 2013, and continues to support the “Minuteman” ICBM nuclear missile system.
Northrop Grumman has “been heavily involved in the training and development of the Saudi military personnel”, and “has continued to grow its presence and expand the support it offers to customers, industry partners and universities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and other Middle East countries for more than 45 years.” (company website). Part of its activities in Saudi Arabia are conducted through a joint venture in the Kingdom, employing 1,800 people. The company has wide-ranging partnerships with Saudi industry and universities. (company website).
