Northrop Grumman

Strategic partnership established in 2010 for collaborative research

University of Maryland Partnership

Collaboration on various advanced defense technology projects

DARPA Collaboration

Collaboration on intelligence-related research projects

IARPA Partnership

Partnerships through Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs

SBIR/STTR Programs

Development and production of the F-35 Lightning II, a fifth-generation multirole fighter jet.

F-35 Lightning II fighter jet program

Research and development of hypersonic flight vehicles and technologies.

Hypersonic technologies development

Research and development of quantum computing technologies and applications.

Quantum computing research

Development of autonomous systems and advanced robotics for various applications.

Autonomy and robotics research

Research and development of directed energy weapon systems.

Directed energy weapons development

Development of AI-powered systems and advanced computing technologies for defense applications.

Advanced computing and AI applications for defense

Development of the Orion spacecraft for NASA's deep space exploration missions.

Orion spacecraft

Ongoing development and improvement of the PAC-3 missile defense system.

PAC-3 missile defense system

Participation in NASA's program for commercial lunar payload services.

Commercial Lunar Payload Services

Lockheed Martin doesn't just build jets and missiles—it develops the technologies that shape the future of defense. At specialized facilities like the Advanced Technology Laboratories, their engineers and scientists pursue breakthroughs in fields like autonomy, robotics, and artificial intelligence. From countering electromagnetic threats with photonics and advanced computing to harnessing the power of machine learning, Lockheed Martin's research extends across a vast technological landscape. The company's Center for Innovation acts as a central nervous system, connecting its network of labs and research centers to foster collaboration and accelerate the pace of discovery.

Research facility focusing on advanced technology development

Advanced Technology Laboratories (ATL)

Center for cutting-edge technology research and development

Advanced Technology Center (ATC)

50,000 sq ft facility serving as a hub for defense technology research, experimentation, and collaboration

Center for Innovation (The Lighthouse)

Innovation center focused on naval technology development

Surface Navy Innovation Center (SNIC)

Facility for rapid prototyping and product development

Prototyping and Rapid Product Development Center

255,000 square foot facility supporting engineering activities, program management, and R&D for Missiles and Fire Control and Rotary and Mission Systems divisions

Research & Development II Facility

Advanced development program known for pioneering aircraft designs

Skunk Works

Specialized facilities where Lockheed Martin engineers and scientists pursue breakthroughs in fields like autonomy, robotics, and artificial intelligence.

Advanced Technology Laboratories

Lockheed Martin has conducted the first integration test of its Advanced Off-Board Electronic Warfare (AOEW) system on an MH-60R helicopter platform. The AOEW system, described as one of the most complex electronic warfare systems ever developed, is designed to enhance the U.S. Navy's signal intelligence and defense capabilities against anti-ship missile threats.

Lockheed Martin Successfully Tests Advanced Off-Board Electronic Warfare System on MH-60R Helicopter

Lockheed Martin is exploring machine learning for various defense and aerospace applications. Here, the company's Missiles and Fire Control's Advanced Rapid Integration Simulation Environment (ARISE), a suite of integrated toolkits developed by Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control (MFC) for creating system-level weapon simulations, also known as digital twins.

Machine Learning Applications

Major source of funding through contracts with various U.S. government agencies.

U.S. government contracts

Funding received through research grants from government and other organizations.

Research grants

Significant investment of company funds into research and development activities.

Internal R&D investment

Kingsley Fregene

An applied research and development center focusing on autonomy, robotics, artificial intelligence, and command & control.

Research labs for Lockheed Martin Space, creating foundational technologies for space applications.

A 50,000 sq ft facility serving as a hub for defense technology research, experimentation, and collaboration.

An innovation center focused on naval technology development.

An advanced development program known for pioneering aircraft designs.

Lockheed Martin (United States) research video

Lockheed Martin

The F-35 Lightning II is a family of single-seat, single-engine, all-weather stealth multirole combat aircraft developed and produced by Lockheed Martin. It is intended to perform ground attack, reconnaissance, and air defense missions. The F-35 has been described as the most expensive military weapons system in history, with a projected total cost of over $1.5 trillion for the entire program.

F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter

The Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle is a spacecraft designed by Lockheed Martin for NASA's Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon and eventually explore Mars. Orion is designed to carry astronauts to space, provide emergency abort capability, sustain the crew during space travel, and provide safe re-entry from deep space.

Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle

The Hubble Space Telescope, launched in 1990, is a space telescope that has made groundbreaking discoveries in astronomy. Lockheed Martin was the prime contractor for the design, development, and construction of the telescope, which has revolutionized our understanding of the universe.

Hubble Space Telescope

Won nine times, most recently for the development and production of the James Webb Space Telescope.

Collier Trophy

Collaboration on Dev*Ops strategy and implementation.

U.S. Air Force Dev*Ops Collaboration

Development of the B-21 Raider, a next-generation stealth bomber.

B-21 Raider

Development of the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

Sentinel (LGM-35A)

Development of a new, advanced weapon system for the U.S. Air Force.

Stand-in Attack Weapon

A program developing advanced digital engineering and modeling capabilities for the defense industry.

Digital Pathfinder

A $700 million contract to provide the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) with an integrated cloud and sensor solution.

Neptune Phoenix

Development of advanced space communications systems.

Enhanced Strategic SATCOM (ESS) system

Development of protected tactical satellite communication systems.

Protected Tactical SATCOM (PTS) system

A gateway system with over 200,000 combat operational flight hours.

Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN)

Northrop Grumman's aerospace and defense technologies are developed through its NG Next division, focused on emerging technologies. The company's Advanced Technology Lab in Linthicum, Maryland provides a range of development processes supporting both Northrop Grumman and external clients. Its research portfolio encompasses space systems, cybersecurity, directed energy, autonomous systems, and quantum technologies.

Main corporate headquarters for Northrop Grumman.

Corporate Headquarters

Research and development facility for ballistics and propulsion systems.

Allegany Ballistics Laboratory

Facility focused on launch systems and missile defense technologies.

Launch and Missile Defense Systems

Facility for the design and manufacture of satellite systems.

Satellite Manufacturing Facility

Historic facility focused on space systems and technologies.

Space Park

Headquarters for the Mission Systems business segment.

Mission Systems Headquarters

Facility focused on aircraft integration and advanced aviation technologies.

Aircraft Integration Center of Excellence

Center for the design and development of manned aircraft systems.

Manned Aircraft Design Center of Excellence

Facility dedicated to the development of unmanned aerial systems.

Unmanned Systems Center of Excellence

Center for missile defense and space systems technologies.

Missile Defense and Space Systems

Facility focused on unmanned systems and command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) technologies.

Unmanned Systems and C4ISR

Center for electronic systems development and integration.

Electronic Systems

Facility focused on innovative aerospace and defense technologies.

Innovation Systems

Center for the development and testing of propulsion systems.

Propulsion Systems

Northrop Grumman develops aircraft as well as spacecraft, satellites, and space exploration technologies.

Advanced Technology Lab

Northrop Grumman is developing a novel hybrid electric uncrewed X-plane for DARPA.

Uncrewed X-plane

Northrop Grumman Technology Services Hero Image

Unnamed Researchers

Located in Linthicum, Maryland, offering a wide range of processes for both internal and external customers

Located in Alexandria, Virginia, focused on quantum research and development

Center of Quantum Architecture and Software Development

Multiple facilities in Huntsville, Alabama, where employees design, test, manage, manufacture and deliver technologies

Huntsville Facilities

A joint institute with USC, giving faculty and students access to select Northrop Grumman facilities and equipment

NG-ION2 (Northrop Grumman - Institute for Optical Neural Networks)

Eyes on the High North: The Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission And Triton

Northrop Grumman (United States) research video

The James Webb Space Telescope is a revolutionary space observatory developed by NASA, with major contributions from Northrop Grumman. It is designed to study the first galaxies formed after the Big Bang and observe the formation of stars and planets. Northrop Grumman was the prime contractor and led the design and development of the telescope's optics, sunshield, and spacecraft.

James Webb Space Telescope

The B-2 Spirit is a strategic stealth bomber developed by Northrop Grumman for the United States Air Force. It is a flying-wing design with advanced stealth technology, making it virtually undetectable to enemy radar. The B-2 has been a key component of the U.S. military's long-range strike capabilities since the late 1990s.

B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber

The Global Hawk is a high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle developed by Northrop Grumman for the U.S. Air Force. It is designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, providing real-time imagery and data collection capabilities. The Global Hawk has been extensively used in various military operations since its introduction in the early 2000s.

Northrop Grumman

Overview

Video

Featured Content

Advanced Technology Lab

Research Areas

R&D 100 Awards

Publications per Year

Patents per Year

Location on Map

Related Content

Investigation onboard the Space Station seeks new insights into cooling technology for electronics

Explore More Labs