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Basis of Presentation (Unaudited)
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2021
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
BASIS OF PRESENTATION BASIS OF PRESENTATION
Principles of Consolidation and Reporting
These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements (the “financial statements”) include the accounts of Northrop Grumman Corporation and its subsidiaries and joint ventures or other investments for which we consolidate the financial results (herein referred to as “Northrop Grumman,” the “company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”). Intercompany accounts, transactions and profits are eliminated in consolidation. Investments in equity securities and joint ventures where the company has significant influence, but not control, are accounted for using the equity method.
Effective January 30, 2021 (the “Divestiture date”), we completed the previously announced sale of our IT and mission support services business (the “IT services divestiture”) for $3.4 billion in cash and recorded a pre-tax gain on sale of $2.0 billion. The IT and mission support services business was comprised of the majority of the Information Solutions and Services (IS&S) division of Defense Systems (excluding our Vinnell Arabia business); select cyber, intelligence and missions support programs, which were part of the Cyber and Intelligence Mission Solutions (CIMS) division of Mission Systems; and the Space Technical Services business unit of Space Systems. The assets and liabilities of the IT and mission support services business were classified as held for sale in the consolidated statement of financial position as of December 31, 2020. Operating results include sales and operating income for the IT and mission support services business prior to the Divestiture date. Sales for the IT and mission support services business were $162 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and $602 million and $1.7 billion for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively. Pre-tax profit was $20 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, and $69 million and $180 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively.
These financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP” or “FAS”) and in accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for interim reporting. The financial statements include adjustments of a normal recurring nature considered necessary by management for a fair presentation of the company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
The results reported in these financial statements are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the entire year. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the information contained in the company’s 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K. During the first quarter of 2021, we changed the naming convention for our FAS/CAS pension accounts. The Net FAS (service)/CAS pension adjustment is now referred to as the FAS/CAS operating adjustment and the FAS (non-service) pension benefit is now referred to as the Non-operating FAS pension benefit. This change does not impact any current or previously reported amounts. During the second quarter of 2021, we changed the presentation of the retiree benefits components in the operating cash flow section of the Unaudited condensed consolidated statement of cash flows. Prior period amounts have been conformed to current period presentation and this change does not impact previously reported cash provided by operating activities.
The quarterly information is labeled using a calendar convention; that is, first quarter is consistently labeled as ending on March 31, second quarter as ending on June 30 and third quarter as ending on September 30. It is the company’s long-standing practice to establish actual interim closing dates using a “fiscal” calendar, in which we close our books on a Friday near these quarter-end dates in order to normalize the potentially disruptive effects of quarterly closings on business processes. This practice is only used at interim periods within a reporting year.
Accounting Estimates
Preparation of the financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingencies at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of sales and expenses during the reporting period. Estimates have been prepared using the most current and best available information; however, actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
Revenue Recognition
The majority of our sales are derived from long-term contracts with the U.S. government for the development or production of goods, the provision of services, or a combination of both. We recognize revenue as control is transferred to the customer, either over time or at a point in time. For most of our contracts, control is effectively transferred during the period of performance, so we generally recognize revenue over time using the cost-to-cost method (cost incurred relative to total cost estimated at completion). The company believes this represents the most
appropriate measurement towards satisfaction of our performance obligations. Revenue for contracts in which the control of goods produced does not transfer until delivery to the customer is recognized at a point in time (i.e., typically upon delivery).
Contract Estimates
Use of the cost-to-cost method requires us to make reasonably dependable estimates regarding the revenue and cost associated with the design, manufacture and delivery of our products and services. The company estimates profit on these contracts as the difference between total estimated sales and total estimated cost at completion and recognizes that profit as costs are incurred. Significant judgment is used to estimate total sales and cost at completion.
Contract sales may include estimates of variable consideration, including cost or performance incentives (such as award and incentive fees), contract claims and requests for equitable adjustment (REAs). Variable consideration is included in total estimated sales to the extent it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved. We estimate variable consideration as the most likely amount to which we expect to be entitled.
We recognize changes in estimated contract sales or costs and the resulting changes in contract profit on a cumulative basis. Cumulative estimate-at-completion (EAC) adjustments represent the cumulative effect of the changes on current and prior periods; sales and operating margins in future periods are recognized as if the revised estimates had been used since contract inception. If it is determined that a loss is expected to result on an individual performance obligation, the entire amount of the estimable future loss, including an allocation of general and administrative expense, is charged against income in the period the loss is identified.
The following table presents the effect of aggregate net EAC adjustments:
 Three Months Ended September 30Nine Months Ended September 30
$ in millions, except per share data2021202020212020
Revenue$116 $124 $478 $385 
Operating income109 123 453 359 
Net earnings(1)
86 97 358 284 
Diluted earnings per share(1)
0.54 0.58 2.21 1.69 
(1)Based on a 21 percent statutory tax rate.
EAC adjustments on a single performance obligation can have a material effect on the company’s financial statements. When such adjustments occur, we generally disclose the nature, underlying conditions and financial impact of the adjustments. During the third quarter of 2021, we recorded a $42 million unfavorable EAC adjustment on the F-35 program at Aeronautics Systems due to labor-related production inefficiencies largely driven by COVID-19-related impacts on the labor market and employee leave. No such adjustments were material to the financial statements during the three months ended September 30, 2020.
Backlog
Backlog represents the future sales we expect to recognize on firm orders received by the company and is equivalent to the company’s remaining performance obligations at the end of each period. It comprises both funded backlog (firm orders for which funding is authorized and appropriated) and unfunded backlog. Unexercised contract options and indefinite delivery indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contracts are not included in backlog until the time an option or IDIQ task order is exercised or awarded.
Company backlog as of September 30, 2021 was $74.8 billion. Of our September 30, 2021 backlog, we expect to recognize approximately 40 percent as revenue over the next 12 months and 60 percent as revenue over the next 24 months, with the remainder to be recognized thereafter.
Contract Assets and Liabilities
For each of the company’s contracts, the timing of revenue recognition, customer billings, and cash collections results in a net contract asset or liability at the end of each reporting period. Contract assets are equivalent to and reflected as Unbilled receivables in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of financial position and are primarily related to long-term contracts where revenue recognized under the cost-to-cost method exceeds amounts billed to customers. Contract liabilities are equivalent to and reflected as Advance payments and billings in excess of costs incurred in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of financial position. The amount of revenue recognized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 that was included in the December 31, 2020
contract liability balances was $261 million and $1.8 billion, respectively. The amount of revenue recognized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 that was included in the December 31, 2019 contract liability balance was $232 million and $1.5 billion, respectively.
Disaggregation of Revenue
See Note 9 for information regarding the company’s sales by customer type, contract type and geographic region for each of our segments. We believe those categories best depict how the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of our revenue and cash flows are affected by economic factors.
Property, Plant, and Equipment
In the fourth quarter of 2020, the company completed a sale of equipment to a customer on a restricted Aeronautics Systems program. During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the company received cash payments of $84 million related to the equipment sale and included it in Proceeds from sale of equipment to a customer in the unaudited condensed consolidated statement of cash flows.
Non-cash investing activities include capital expenditures incurred but not yet paid of $105 million and $123 million as of September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss are as follows:
$ in millionsSeptember 30, 2021December 31, 2020
Unamortized prior service credit, net of tax expense of $1 for 2021 and $3 for 2020
$4 $10 
Cumulative translation adjustment and other, net(144)(138)
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss$(140)$(128)
Related Party Transactions
For all periods presented, the company had no material related party transactions.
Accounting Standards Updates
Accounting standards updates adopted and/or issued, but not effective until after September 30, 2021, are not expected to have a material effect on the company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial position, annual results of operations and/or cash flows.