How Northrop Grumman Manufactures the Future of American Defense

Northrop Grumman delivers world-changing technology, built on its rich legacy of designing and manufacturing innovative solutions for the future. The company has the capacity needed to meet the demands of today and the ability to scale to meet future national security needs. Here’s how Northrop Grumman is furthering American manufacturing strength for the American warfighter. 

• Investing Heavily in the Future: $13.5 Billion Infusion. In the past five years, Northrop Grumman has invested $13.5 billion in U.S. infrastructure and research and development. This investment isn’t just about numbers; it’s about establishing robust manufacturing facilities nationwide that will create a legion of American jobs, powering economic and defense capabilities.
• Expanding Production Capabilities: $1 Billion in Facilities. In a bold move to expand production capabilities, the company has invested over $1 billion alone in multiple facilities across multiple states over the past six years. This strategic investment bolsters Northrop Grumman’s ability to produce weapons and missile components, including essential solid rocket motors.
• Delivering Unmatched Manufacturing Scale: 30 Million Square Feet. With over 30 million square feet of manufacturing space, Northrop Grumman has the scale and agility to drive innovation at unprecedented speeds. This expansive capacity allows for rapid adaptation and deployment of next-generation technologies.
• Leading Propulsion Innovation: 1.3 Million Solid Rocket Motors. With more than six decades of flight-proven propulsion, Northrop Grumman is an industry-leading provider of solid rocket motors for critical U.S. strategic weapons systems, the civil space industry, and commercial launch service providers. To date, the company has delivered over 1.3 million solid rocket motors. Produced in Utah, West Virginia and Maryland, our solid rocket motors are in continuous production, while the team simultaneously designs revolutionary new capabilities to meet evolving demands.
• Pioneering Microelectronics: One Million Microchips Annually. Across the company’s microelectronics foundries in California, Maryland and Florida, Northrop Grumman produces more than one million microchips annually. This includes the world’s fastest terahertz microchip – operating at 1,000 times faster than the average smartphone. Northrop Grumman is the only defense company with two secure foundries and an advanced packaging facility on U.S. soil.
• Powered by Human Capital: A Workforce That’s 100,000 Strong. Northrop Grumman’s ability to scale production and deploy new capabilities is underpinned by its nearly 100,000 employees across multiple functions. Our workforce has facilities in all 50 states and work in some of the most cutting-edge manufacturing facilities and engineering design labs worldwide.
• Building a Robust Supply Chain: 12,000 Suppliers. Designed to support with the scale and speed today’s defense industry requires, our performance-driven ecosystem boasts a network of nearly 12,000 suppliers, primarily based in the United States. This robust supply chain ensures Northrop Grumman can deliver advanced, affordable and interoperable technologies to meet the mission needs of the customer.
• Delivering Advanced Manufacturing: One Fuselage Every 30 Hours. At the company’s F-35 Center Fuselage Integrated Assembly Line in Palmdale, California, Northrop Grumman delivers one center fuselage every 30 hours. This groundbreaking work is an example of one of the most advanced manufacturing facilities ever assembled to produce military aircraft, using automated technology coupled with the strengths of humans and machines to produce for all three variants of this fifth-generation fighter.

With nearly 100,000 employees and over 30 million square feet of manufacturing space – more than 500 football fields – Northrop Grumman has the capacity, scale, and agility to drive innovation at unprecedented speeds. The company’s manufacturing approach isn’t just about flawless production – it was developed to accelerate and enhance the entire process from design and development to production and testing. The company has invested in U.S. infrastructure, R&D, its workforce, and supply chain to deliver the national security needs of today and for tomorrow.