Modular, attritable Group 3 uncrewed aircraft designed for one-way-attack and other missions including ISR and electronic warfare; flight-tested with SandboxAQ's AQNav magnetic navigation in 2026.

Prototype

Manta Ray

Extra-large, long-endurance uncrewed underwater glider prototype built for DARPA.

Prototype

First flight: 2024

Stand-in Attack Weapon (SiAW)

Northrop Grumman air-to-ground strike missile for fifth-generation aircraft.

Development

Contract award: Sep 2023

XRQ-73 SHEPARD

Hybrid-electric flying-wing X-plane built for DARPA's SHEPARD propulsion demonstration.

Prototype

First flight: Apr 2026

Show all 6 products

Newest unveiled first. Open a product for its milestone timeline, components and sources.

Technologies2

Technologies
Technology	Role	Maturity	TRL	Notes	Confidence
Solid rocket motor manufacturing	Supplier	Fielded	—	—	Reported
Space-based kinetic interceptors	Developer	Development	—	—	Reported

Solid rocket motor manufacturing
Supplier
FieldedReported
Space-based kinetic interceptors
Developer
DevelopmentReported

Maturity and TRL describe this organization's work; the field-wide maturity is on each technology's page.

Government awards & programs9 awards · $45.1M obligated · up to $6.67B ceiling · 1 program

Awards received9

Awards received
Announced	Award	Agency	Type	Program	Obligated	Ceiling	Confidence
Sep 29, 2026	XRC counter-UAS missile solid-fuel ramjet propulsionpress:northrop-grumman:2026-09-29:xrc-ramjet	U.S. Army	Contract	—	—	Up to $18.8M	Reported
Sep 4, 2026	IRBM/ICBM target flight test and logistics support (follow-on)HQ085526CE001	Missile Defense Agency	Contract	—	$8.8M	$508M	Confirmed
May 15, 2026	Enhanced Protected Tactical SATCOM Prototype (Enhanced PTS-P)press:northrop-grumman:2026-05-15	Space Systems Command	Contract	—	—	Up to $398M	Confirmed
Jan 8, 2026	MUX TACAIR collaborative combat aircraft development (with Kratos Valkyrie)press:northrop-grumman:2026-01-08:mux-tacair	U.S. Marine Corps	OTA	—	—	Up to $232M	Reported
Dec 19, 2025	Tracking Layer Tranche 3 satellites (18 space vehicles)press:northrop-grumman:2025-12-19:sda-trkt3	Space Development Agency	OTA	—	—	Up to $764M	Confirmed
Dec 9, 2025	Stand-in Attack Weapon and AARGM-ER support IDIQFA865926DB002	U.S. Air Force	IDIQ	—	$19K	$100M	Confirmed
Dec 18, 2024	E-130J TACAMO engineering and manufacturing developmentN0001925C0130	U.S. Navy	Contract	—	$36.3M	$3.46B	Confirmed
Sep 25, 2023	Stand-in Attack Weapon (SiAW) development and testpress:northrop-grumman:2023-09-25:siaw	U.S. Air Force	Contract	—	—	Up to $705M	Confirmed
Nov 19, 2018	Japan Global Hawk: three RQ-4 Block 30i aircraft (definitization PZ0004)FA862018C1000:PZ0004	U.S. Air Force	Contract	—	—	Up to $490M	Confirmed

XRC counter-UAS missile solid-fuel ramjet propulsion
Sep 29, 2026 · Contract
From U.S. Army
Up to $18.8M
Ceiling
IRBM/ICBM target flight test and logistics support (follow-on)
Sep 4, 2026 · Contract
From Missile Defense Agency
Confirmed
$8.8M
Obligated · up to $508M ceiling
Enhanced Protected Tactical SATCOM Prototype (Enhanced PTS-P)
May 15, 2026 · Contract
From Space Systems Command
Confirmed
Up to $398M
Ceiling
MUX TACAIR collaborative combat aircraft development (with Kratos Valkyrie)
Jan 8, 2026 · OTA
From U.S. Marine Corps
Up to $232M
Ceiling
Tracking Layer Tranche 3 satellites (18 space vehicles)
Dec 19, 2025 · OTA
From Space Development Agency
Confirmed
Up to $764M
Ceiling
Stand-in Attack Weapon and AARGM-ER support IDIQ
Dec 9, 2025 · IDIQ
From U.S. Air Force
Confirmed
$19K
Obligated · up to $100M ceiling
E-130J TACAMO engineering and manufacturing development
Dec 18, 2024 · Contract
From U.S. Navy
Confirmed
$36.3M
Obligated · up to $3.46B ceiling
Stand-in Attack Weapon (SiAW) development and test
Sep 25, 2023 · Contract
From U.S. Air Force
Confirmed
Up to $705M
Ceiling
Japan Global Hawk: three RQ-4 Block 30i aircraft (definitization PZ0004)
Nov 19, 2018 · Contract
From U.S. Air Force
Confirmed
Up to $490M
Ceiling

Programs1

Programs
Program	Role	Program status	Confidence
Space-Based Interceptor (SBI)	Prime	Development	Reported

Space-Based Interceptor (SBI)
Prime · Development

Obligated is what has been committed so far; ceiling is the most the award can reach. Joint values cover all recipients and are excluded from this company’s money totals.

Portfolio1 company · 1 lead

Portfolio
Company	Stage	Role	Announced	Round size
Echodyne	Series C	Participant	Jun 13, 2022	$135M
Echodyne	Strategic	Lead	Feb 17, 2022	Undisclosed

Echodyne
Series C · Participant
$135M
Jun 13, 2022
Echodyne
Strategic · Led the round
Undisclosed
Feb 17, 2022

One row per round this investor joined. Round size is the whole round, not this investor's share.

Supply chain2 inputs · 1 supplier · 4 facilities

Produces, processes or develops2

Inputs produced
Input	Relation	Criticality	Capacity	Global share	Facility	Confidence
Energetic materials	Produces	Critical	30,000,000 lb/yr solid rocket propellant	—	—	Confirmed
Solid rocket motors	Produces	Critical	—	—	—	Reported

Energetic materials
Produces · 30,000,000 lb/yr solid rocket propellant
Expected to rise to nearly 50 million lb/yr by 2028.
CriticalConfirmed
Solid rocket motors
Produces
About 13,000 motors produced in 2024; plans for more than 25,000 a year by 2029.
CriticalReported

Suppliers1

Suppliers
Supplier	Supplies	Notes	Confidence
American Pacific Corporation	Ammonium perchlorate	Buyer named as ATK Launch Systems (legacy Orbital ATK, now Northrop Grumman).	Confirmed

American Pacific Corporation
Supplies Ammonium perchlorate
Buyer named as ATK Launch Systems (legacy Orbital ATK, now Northrop Grumman).
Confirmed

Facilities4

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Facilities (1)3 more without coordinates, listed below

Facilities
Facility	Kind	Location	Status	Confidence
Allegany Ballistics Laboratory	Factory	Rocket Center, West Virginia, United States	Operating	Confirmed
Elkton propulsion campus	Factory	Elkton, Maryland, United States	Operating	Confirmed
Palmdale site (U.S. Air Force Plant 42)	Factory	Palmdale, California, United States	Operating	Confirmed
Promontory solid rocket motor plant	Factory	Promontory, Utah, United States	Operating	Confirmed

Allegany Ballistics Laboratory
Factory · Rocket Center, West Virginia, United States
Operating
Confirmed
Elkton propulsion campus
Factory · Elkton, Maryland, United States
Operating
Confirmed
Palmdale site (U.S. Air Force Plant 42)
Factory · Palmdale, California, United States
Operating
Confirmed
Promontory solid rocket motor plant
Factory · Promontory, Utah, United States
Operating
Confirmed

News20

Open in the news feed →

Oct 5, 2026NewsNorthrop YFQ-48A completes reported autonomous first flight Oct 5, 2026NewsNorthrop Grumman and SandboxAQ Explain How Lumberjack Is Preparing for GPS-Denied OperationsThe Aviationist Sep 29, 2026NewsBoeing secures U.S. Navy deal to develop next-generation fighter jetCNBC Sep 21, 2026NewsGhostr satellite program contract awards northrop grumman true anomaly Sep 21, 2026NewsPentagon taps Northrop Grumman, True Anomaly for recon satellites that can monitor other space systemsDefenseScoop Sep 16, 2026NewsSpace Force's GMTI program gets a name, with Northrop as prime: General - Breaking Defense Sep 8, 2026CompanyNorthrop Grumman Opens Propulsion Innovation Center in Maryland, Expanding High-Tech JobsNorthrop Grumman Aug 31, 2026NewsJapan seeks new extended-range missiles in record $55B defense budget request - Breaking Defense Aug 18, 2026NewsNavy approves Block II upgrades for E-2D Advanced Hawkeye fleet Aug 17, 2026NewsSpace Force brings 5 companies on-board Space Data Network - Breaking Defense Aug 3, 2026NewsPentagon inks $3B framework agreement for Patriot, THAAD components Aug 3, 2026NewsNorthrop gets $3B framework deal to increase motor production for PAC-3, THAAD - Breaking Defense Jul 22, 2026NewsNorthrop Grumman launches in-space servicing satellites for life-extension missions Jul 15, 2026NewsExclusive: Ursa Major Snags $10M Navy Contract for MK 104 Rocket EnginesTectonic Jul 7, 2026NewsNATO to add up to five Northrop Grumman Triton drones for maritime surveillance Jun 9, 2026NewsPentagon reveals preferred munitions for one-way attack drones Jun 1, 2026NewsNorthrop Grumman partners with Apex on space-based interceptors for Golden Dome May 20, 2026NewsDARPA's robotic servicing mission to finally fly this summer - Breaking Defense May 18, 2026NewsFive companies win DoD's Drone Dominance small drone 'Lethality Prize Challenge' - Breaking Defense May 16, 2026NewsSpace Force awards Northrop Grumman $398 million satellite contract

Sources29

Profile3

1
ResearchSolid Rocket Motors for Missile Defense: Challenges and Opportunities for Expanding the Industrial Base
Center for Strategic and International Studies · Jun 12, 2026 · Supports Organization
“new entrants still lag far behind the two major suppliers, L3Harris (following its acquisition of Aerojet) and Northrop Grumman (following its acquisition of Orbital ATK).”
2
NewsSpace Force names 12 companies to develop Golden Dome's space-based interceptors
DefenseScoop · Apr 24, 2026 · Supports Organization
“The companies that received OTAs are Anduril, Booz Allen Hamilton, General Dynamics Mission Systems, GITAI USA, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Quindar, Raytheon, Sci-Tec, SpaceX, True Anomaly and Turion Space Corp.”
3
Regulatory filingNorthrop Grumman Corporation annual report (Form 10-K)
Supports Organization · founded year
“Originally formed in California in 1939, Northrop Corporation was reincorporated in Delaware in 1985.”

Products8

4
NewsNorthrop Grumman and SandboxAQ Explain How Lumberjack Is Preparing for GPS-Denied Operations
The Aviationist · Oct 5, 2026 · Supports System
“flight-tested quantum-enabled magnetic navigation aboard the Lumberjack Group 3 uncrewed aircraft system”
5
NewsNorthrop’s colossal Manta Ray underwater drone passes at-sea tests
C4ISRNET · May 2, 2024 · Supports System
“Northrop Grumman’s massive Manta Ray underwater test bed completed at-sea trials this year, validating its ability to operate below the waves and with minimal human contact.”
6
CompanyNorthrop Grumman To Provide New Strike Missile Capability for Fifth-Generation Aircraft and Beyond
Northrop Grumman · Sep 25, 2023 · Supports System
“SiAW is an air-to-ground weapon that will provide strike capability to defeat rapidly relocatable targets as part of an enemy’s anti-access/area denial environment.”
7
Government recordWorld Gets First Look at B-21 Raider
U.S. Department of War (DOD News) · Dec 3, 2022 · Supports System
“It is nuclear capable and designed to accommodate manned or unmanned operations.”
8
CompanyLumberjack | Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman · Supports System
“Lumberjack is a modular and customizable, AI-enabled UAS from Northrop Grumman, designed for joint operations and one-way-attack missions.”
9
CompanySHEPARD Hybrid Electric Uncrewed Aircraft System
Northrop Grumman · Supports System
“Northrop Grumman’s XRQ-73 Series Hybrid Electric Propulsion Aircraft Demonstration (SHEPARD) is designed to rapidly advance new mission-focused capabilities using innovative propulsion architecture”
10
CompanyB-21 Raider
Northrop Grumman · Supports System
“The B-21 Raider will be capable of penetrating the toughest defenses to deliver precision strikes anywhere in the world.”
11
CompanyIntegrated Battle Command System (IBCS)
Northrop Grumman · Supports System
“As the centerpiece of the U.S. Army's air and missile defense modernization strategy, IBCS connects sensors and effectors never designed to work together into one command and control system.”

Technologies2

12
CompanyNorthrop Grumman Opens Propulsion Innovation Center in Maryland, Expanding High-Tech Jobs
Northrop Grumman · Sep 8, 2026 · Supports Facility, Organization, Organization input, Organization technology
“a 57,000-square-foot facility in Elkton, Maryland, that houses 250 engineers”
13
NewsSpace Force Awards First Contracts for Golden Dome's Space-Based Interceptors
Air & Space Forces Magazine · Nov 25, 2025 · Supports Organization technology
“Northrop, meanwhile, has begun testing SBIs on the ground and is already providing operational analysis to the Pentagon.”

Government10

14
NewsNorthrop Grumman to develop ramjet propulsion for U.S. Army counter-drone missile prototypes
Defence Industry Europe · Sep 29, 2026 · Supports Government award
“Northrop Grumman has won an $18.8 million U.S. Army contract to develop solid-fuel ramjet propulsion for prototypes of a longer-range counter-drone missile.”
15
Government recordContracts for Sept. 4, 2026
U.S. Department of War · Sep 4, 2026 · Supports Government award
“Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Chandler, Arizona, is being awarded a noncompetitive, cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost reimbursable, and fixed-price-incentive contract. The total value of this contract is $508,490,719.00.”
16
Government recordSpace Force expands protected tactical satellite communications through new prototype
Space Systems Command · May 15, 2026 · Supports Government award · ceiling usd
“awarded a firm-fixed-price contract valued at $398 million to Northrop Grumman to develop and build the Enhanced Protected Tactical Satellite Communications – Prototype”
17
NewsMarine Corps picks Northrop Grumman, Kratos team to build CCA drones
DefenseScoop · Jan 8, 2026 · Supports Government award · ceiling usd
“The Corps awarded the Northrop Grumman-led team an other transaction agreement worth $231.5 million”
18
CompanyNorthrop Grumman to Rapidly Develop Marine Corps CCA with Kratos’ Valkyrie UAS
Northrop Grumman · Jan 8, 2026 · Supports Government award
“Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC) was competitively awarded the U.S. Marine Corps’ Marine Air-Ground Task Force Uncrewed Expeditionary Tactical Aircraft (MUX TACAIR) Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA).”
19
Government recordSpace Development Agency Makes Awards to Build 72 Tracking Layer Satellites for Tranche 3
Space Development Agency · Dec 19, 2025 · Supports Government award
“Northrop Grumman is being awarded a firm fixed-priced OTA agreement with a total potential value of $764 million to provide 18 MW/MT SVs.”
20
Government recordContracts For Dec. 9, 2025
U.S. Department of War · Dec 9, 2025 · Supports Government award
“Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, Northridge, California, was awarded a ceiling $ 100,000,000 cost-reimbursement/firm-fixed-rice, indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity contract for Stand-in Attack Weapon and Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile Extended Range.”
21
Government recordContracts For Dec. 18, 2024
U.S. Department of War · Dec 18, 2024 · Supports Government award
“Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Melbourne, Florida, is awarded a $3,459,276,000 cost-plus-incentive-fee contract for the engineering and manufacturing development of the E-130J, formerly known as E-XX, Take Charge and Move Out (TACAMO) Weapon System”
22
CompanyNorthrop Grumman To Provide New Strike Missile Capability for Fifth-Generation Aircraft and Beyond
Northrop Grumman · Sep 25, 2023 · Supports Government award
“Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) announced today the U.S. Air Force has awarded the company an approximately $705 million contract to deliver the Stand-in Attack Weapon (SiAW)”
23
Government recordContracts For Nov. 19, 2018
U.S. Department of War · Nov 19, 2018 · Supports Government award
“Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems, San Diego, has been awarded a $489,924,430 definitization and increase in scope fixed-price-incentive-fee and cost-plus-incentive-fee contract (FA8620-18-C-1000 PZ0004) for the Japan Global Hawk program.”

Supply chain6

24
NewsExclusive: Ursa Major Snags $10M Navy Contract for MK 104 Rocket Engines
Tectonic · Jul 15, 2026 · Supports Organization, Organization input
“there have historically been just two primary manufacturers of 'em, L3Harris's Aerojet Rocketdyne and Northrop Grumman.”
25
Government recordAudit of Purchases of Ammonium Perchlorate Through Subcontracts With a Single DoD-Approved Domestic Supplier (DODIG-2020-095)
DoD Office of Inspector General · Jul 9, 2020 · Supports Supply relationship
“the solid rocket motor subcontractors, ATK Launch Systems Incorporated and Aerojet Rocketdyne, purchase AP1”
26
OtherAllegany Ballistics Laboratory
Wikipedia · Supports Facility · lat, Facility · lng
“39.56111; -78.83472”
27
CompanyGlobal Power, Made in America: Northrop Grumman Makes It in West Virginia
Northrop Grumman · Supports Facility
“Many of the nation's tactical solid rocket motors, a critical component in enabling, precision, range, and lethality across a wide array of missile systems are made at ABL.”
28
CompanyNorthrop Grumman in Palmdale, California
Northrop Grumman · Supports Facility
“The highly specialized manufacturing and engineering facility is located on the Government owned/Contractor operated (GOCO) U.S. Air Force Plant 42.”
29
CompanySolid Rocket Motors and Propulsion: The Facts
Northrop Grumman · Supports Facility
“Promontory, Utah, is a cornerstone in space exploration and national defense, home to the world's biggest and most powerful solid rocket motors.”

Each fact on this page is attached to the sources that support it. Archived copies are linked when we keep one.