Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman is a well established military aircraft manufacturer based in Virginia, United States, and sells both aircraft and weapons. The company operates multi-nationally and sells to over 25 allied militaries worldwide. Northrop Grumman has been a pioneer in the development of manned aircraft. From fighter jets and stealth bombers to surveillance and electronic warfare, the company has been providing manned solutions to customers worldwide since the 1930s.
Recently, they have also begun working on a "hypersonic weapons centre of excellence", which will be a new factory in its Elkington, Maryland location which sees the design, production, and correct installation of hypersonic missiles and other weapons. They also recently signed a contract with NASA to explore a fairly experimental studio apartment, complete with enough space for three aircraft, which will go into the Earth's orbit.
On eight separate occasions, the company has been the recipient of the Collier Trophy, which is presented by the National Aeronautic Association for achievements in aeronautics and aircraft. One of these was for the Grumman X-47B, the first unmanned and autonomous aerial vehicle to be used in the US Navy. The most exciting project on Northrop's horizon at the minute is the development of the B-21 Raider, in association with the US Air Force. It is a heavy bomber vehicle which will be able to drop bombs from long range. It is also anticipated to be able to carry nuclear weapons as well as standard bombs.
It is also famous for the world’s most advanced aircrafts, from the innovative B-2 Spirit stealth bomber to the game-changing E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, A-10 Thunderbolt II.
The A-10 Thunderbolt II, affectionately nicknamed “The Warthog,” was developed for the United States Air Force by the OEM Team from Fairchild Republic Company, now a part of Northrop Grumman Corporation Aeronautics Systems Eastern Region located in Bethpage NY and St. Augustine FL. Following in the footsteps of the legendary P-47 Thunderbolt, the OEM Team was awarded a study contract in the 1960s to define requirements for a new Close Air Support aircraft, rugged and survivable, to protect combat troops on the ground. This initial study was followed up by a prototype development contract for the A-X, and a final flyoff competition resulting in the selection of the A-10 Thunderbolt II. Some outstanding specifications are high speed: 420 miles per hour (Mach 0.56), range: 800 miles (695 nautical miles), Two General Electric TF34-GE-1 00 turbofans and Primary Function: A-10 — close air support, OA-10 – airborne forward air control.
When it comes to delivering America’s resolve, the B-21 Raider will be standing by, silent and ready. This model provides America’s warfighters with an advanced aircraft offering a combination of range, payload, and survivability. The B-21 Raider will be capable of penetrating the toughest defenses to deliver precision strikes anywhere in the world. The B-21 is the future of deterrence.
The U.S. Air Force’s B-2 stealth bomber is a key component of the nation’s long-range strike arsenal, and one of the most survivable aircraft in the world. Its unique stealth characteristics allow it to penetrate the most sophisticated enemy defenses. Northrop Grumman is the B-2 prime contractor leading an industry team that works with the Air Force to modernize the B-2. A range of upgrade programs are improving the B-2’s lethality: its ability to collect, process and disseminate battlefield information with joint force commanders or other local first responders worldwide, and its ability to receive updated target information during a mission. The B-2 holds the record for longest air combat mission in history. In 2001, the Spirit of America and five other B-2s were the first to enter Afghan airspace for a record setting 44-hour mission. The aircraft’s performance is even more impressive in that the B-2 made a quick pit stop for a 45-minute crew and service change with engines still running. It then flew back to Missouri for another 30-hour flight for a total of more than 70 consecutive hours. The B-2 is 69 feet long, 17 feet high and has a wingspan of 172 feet, half the length of a football field and can reach a high subsonic speed as well as reaching an altitude of more than 50,000 feet. It has a perfect payload carrying of 20 tons.
The Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye is an American all-weather, carrier-capable tactical airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft. This twin-turboprop aircraft was designed and developed during the late 1950s and early 1960s by the Grumman Aircraft Company for the United States Navy as a replacement for the earlier, piston-engined E-1 Tracer, which was rapidly becoming obsolete. The aircraft's performance has been upgraded with the E-2B and E-2C versions, where most of the changes were made to the radar and radio communications due to advances in electronic integrated circuits and other electronics. The fourth major version of the Hawkeye is the E-2D, which first flew in 2007. The E-2 was the first aircraft designed specifically for its role, as opposed to a modification of an existing airframe, such as the Boeing E-3 Sentry. Variants of the Hawkeye have been in continuous production since 1960, giving it the longest production run of any carrier-based aircraft.
Brand origin: USA
Revenue: $36.7 billion (2020)
Website: https://www.northropgrumman.com/
