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Basis of Presentation (Unaudited)
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2023
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
BASIS OF PRESENTATION
1.    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 July 1, 2024, the company realigned the Strategic Deterrent Systems (SDS) division, which includes the Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent (“Sentinel”) program, from Space Systems to Defense Systems. The realignment is not reflected in the financial information contained in this report; it will be reflected in the company’s operating results beginning in the third quarter of 2024.
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. For classification of certain current assets and liabilities, we consider the duration of our customer contracts when defining our operating cycle, which is generally longer than one year.
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 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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
Contract Estimates
Contract sales may include estimates of variable consideration, including cost or performance incentives (such as award and incentive fees), un-priced change orders, requests for equitable adjustment (REAs) and contract claims. 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. Net 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.
B-21 Program
In 2015, the U.S. Air Force awarded Northrop Grumman the B-21 contract, which includes a base contract for engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) and five low-rate initial production (LRIP) options for a baseline total of 21 aircraft. The EMD phase of the program is largely cost type and began at contract award. The LRIP options are largely fixed price and are expected to continue to be awarded and executed through
approximately the end of the decade. In addition to the five LRIP options, Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Air Force have established not to exceed (NTE) pricing for additional aircraft up to unit 40. The average NTE value for these subsequent lots is above the average unit price of the five LRIP lots, and the NTE lots include an economic price adjustment clause to protect against certain inflationary pressures. Final terms, quantity, and pricing for these subsequent lots are not fully negotiated.
During the fourth quarter of 2023, we recognized a projected loss of $1.56 billion across the five LRIP options. During the second quarter of 2024, we again reviewed our estimated profitability on the program and made no significant changes to the previously recognized loss. The company’s second quarter 2024 results reflect our current best estimate of our cost to complete the LRIP and NTE aircraft, as well as the outcome of ongoing discussions with our suppliers and our customer. If our estimated cost to complete the aircraft changes or our assumptions regarding contract performance, quantities, or funding to mitigate the impact of macroeconomic disruptions are resolved more or less favorably than what we have estimated, our financial position, results of operations and/or cash flows could be materially affected. As of June 30, 2024, the remaining loss accrual is $1.5 billion, of which $972 million is included in Other current liabilities with the remainder included in Other non-current liabilities.
Sentinel Program
In 2020, the U.S. Air Force awarded Northrop Grumman a $13.3 billion contract for the EMD phase of the Sentinel program. In January 2024, the U.S. Air Force provided congressional notification that the Sentinel program was under a Nunn-McCurdy breach review, which is required when total program cost estimates exceed certain defined thresholds. This notification, which had been driven primarily by increases in cost estimates for the Production and Deployment phases, commenced the process to achieve recertification for continuance of the program and update its baseline cost estimates. We are currently executing under a cost-type contract for the EMD phase, and the Production and Deployment phases are yet to be priced and negotiated.
In July 2024, the Sentinel program was recertified for continuation by the DoD upon completion of the Nunn-McCurdy breach review. In connection with the recertification, the DoD directed that the program be restructured, including plans for infrastructure related to the command and launch segment, which was the main driver of the increased cost estimates for the Production and Deployment phases. We are partnering with our customer to establish a new program baseline as part of the restructuring activities.
During the second quarter of 2024, we reviewed our estimated profitability on the Sentinel program and made no significant changes. The Sentinel EAC incorporates our best estimate of costs to complete the restructured EMD effort; however, if the outcome is more or less favorable than what we have estimated, our financial position, results of operations and/or cash flows could be materially affected.
Habitation and Logistics Outpost (HALO) Program
In 2021, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) awarded Northrop Grumman Phase 5 of the HALO program to complete the design and development of HALO for NASA’s Gateway program. At the request of NASA, Space Systems submitted an engineering change proposal (ECP) during the fourth quarter of 2023 for scope increases and other aspects of the HALO contract largely stemming from evolving Lunar Gateway architecture and mission requirements. During the second quarter of 2024, the company and NASA made significant progress toward ECP resolution, and we updated our profitability estimate for the HALO contract accordingly. We currently expect negotiations to be completed by the end of the year.
The following table presents the effect of aggregate net EAC adjustments:
 Three Months Ended June 30Six Months Ended June 30
$ in millions, except per share data2024202320242023
Revenue$37 $95 $111 $157 
Operating income38 76 132 122 
Net earnings(1)
30 60 104 96 
Diluted earnings per share(1)
0.20 0.39 0.70 0.63 
(1)Based on a 21 percent federal statutory tax rate.
EAC adjustments on a single performance obligation can have a significant effect on the company’s financial statements. When such adjustments occur, we generally disclose the nature, underlying conditions and financial impact of the adjustments. No EAC adjustments on a single performance obligation had a significant impact on the
financial statements during the six months ended June 30, 2024. During the three months ended June 30, 2023, we recorded a $36 million unfavorable EAC adjustment on the HALO program at Space Systems.
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. Backlog is converted into sales as costs are incurred or deliveries are made.
Company backlog as of June 30, 2024 was $83.1 billion. Of our June 30, 2024 backlog, we expect to recognize approximately 40 percent as revenue over the next 12 months and 65 percent as revenue over the next 24 months, with the remainder to be recognized thereafter.
During the first quarter of 2024, the company reduced unfunded backlog by $1.6 billion related to a termination for convenience in our restricted space business.
During the second quarter of 2024, the company reduced unfunded backlog by $0.7 billion related to a termination for convenience on the Next Generation Interceptor (NGI) program at Space Systems.
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 six months ended June 30, 2024 that was included in the December 31, 2023 contract liability balance was $1.1 billion and $3.0 billion, respectively. The amount of revenue recognized for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 that was included in the December 31, 2022 contract liability balance was $899 million and $2.6 billion, respectively.
Disaggregation of Revenue
See Note 10 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
Non-cash investing activities include capital expenditures incurred but not yet paid of $77 million and $62 million as of June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, are as follows:
$ in millionsJune 30, 2024December 31, 2023
Cumulative translation adjustment$(138)$(138)
Other, net(8)10 
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss$(146)$(128)
Related Party Transactions
For all periods presented, the company had no material related party transactions.
Accounting Standards Updates
On November 27, 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2023-07 Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. Among other new disclosure requirements, ASU 2023-07 requires companies to disclose significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker. ASU 2023-07 will be effective for annual periods beginning on January 1, 2024 and interim periods beginning on January 1, 2025. ASU 2023-07 must be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. We are continuing to evaluate the disclosure impact of ASU 2023-07; however, the standard will not have an impact on the company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations and/or cash flows.
On December 14, 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09 Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. ASU 2023-09 requires companies to disclose, on an annual basis, specific categories in the effective tax rate reconciliation and provide additional information for reconciling items that meet a quantitative threshold. In addition, ASU 2023-09 requires companies to disclose additional information about income taxes paid. ASU 2023-09 will be effective for annual periods beginning January 1, 2025 and will be applied on a prospective basis with the option to apply the standard retrospectively. We are continuing to evaluate the disclosure impact of ASU 2023-09; however, the standard will not have an impact on the company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations and/or cash flows.
On March 6, 2024, the SEC issued its final climate disclosure rule, which requires registrants to include climate-related disclosures in registration statements and annual reports. The final rule requires registrants to provide information about the financial statement impacts of severe weather events and other natural conditions. The final rule also requires certain disclosures related to risk management and governance over climate-related risks, material climate targets and goals, and material Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions. The requirements would be phased in beginning with fiscal year 2025. On April 4, 2024, the SEC voluntarily stayed the final rule pending the completion of judicial review of cases pending in the Eighth Circuit. We are continuing to evaluate the disclosure impact of the final rule.
Other accounting standards updates adopted and/or issued, but not effective until after June 30, 2024, are not expected to have a material effect on the company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations and/or cash flows.