Northrop Grumman expects its B-21 stealth bomber and the Sentinel next-generation intercontinental ballistic missile “to be less than 10 percent of sales in the company, but continuing to gradually increase from ’24 into ’25,” CEO Kathy Warden said in a quarterly earnings call last week.
Northrop Grumman introduced guidance for 2025, with sales projected to be between $42 billion and $42.5 billion, up 3 to 4% versus 2024. Growth will come from the Aeronautics and Mission Systems segments, partially offset by declines at Defense and Space Systems. The B-21 and Sentinel programs will continue to grow but at more moderate rates, and each one makes up less than 10% of overall sales, Warden said.
According to the fourth quarter earnings news release, sales increased $271 million, or 3%, in 2024 primarily due to a $182 million increase on Sentinel and a ramp up of that program. This increase happened alongside the recent Nunn McCurdy breach and recertification of the Sentinel program.
Sales in the quarter were essentially flat at nearly $10.7 billion with increases at Aeronautics, Defense, and Mission Systems largely offset by a 13% decline at Space Systems, the company said. Northrop Grumman reported earnings Jan. 30. Sales drivers across the business included the B-21, F-35 fighter production and sustainment, the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile, military ammunition, classified microelectronics, communications, and electronic warfare programs for self-protection and targeting systems.
Exchange Monitor affiliate Defense Daily contributed to this story.
