Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Principles of Consolidation	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.
Basis of Presentation	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. This realignment is reflected in the financial information contained in this report. The 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 the financial statements are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the entire year. The financial statements should be read in conjunction with the information contained in the company’s 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Fiscal Period Policy	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 from Contract with Customer	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. 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, 2024 that was included in the December 31, 2023 contract liability balance was $354 million and $3.4 billion, respectively. The amount of revenue recognized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 that was included in the December 31, 2022 contract liability balance was $358 million and $2.9 billion, respectively.
Earnings Per Share	We calculate basic earnings per share by dividing net earnings by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during each period. Diluted earnings per share include the dilutive effect of awards granted to employees under stock-based compensation plans.
Investments in Marketable Securities	The company holds a portfolio of marketable securities to partially fund non-qualified employee benefit plans. A portion of these securities are held in common/collective trust funds and are measured at fair value using net asset value (NAV) per share as a practical expedient; therefore, they are not categorized in the fair value hierarchy table below. Marketable securities are included in Other non-current assets in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of financial position.
Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities	The company’s derivative portfolio consists primarily of foreign currency forward contracts. Where model-derived valuations are appropriate, the company utilizes the income approach to determine the fair value using internal models based on observable market inputs.
Fair Value of Long-term Debt	We calculated the fair value of long-term debt using Level 2 inputs, based on interest rates available for debt with terms and maturities similar to the company’s existing debt arrangements. The current portion of long-term debt is recorded in Other current liabilities in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of financial position.
U.S. Government Cost Claims	From time to time, the company is advised of claims by the U.S. government concerning certain potential disallowed costs, plus, at times, penalties and interest. When such findings are presented, the company and U.S. government representatives engage in discussions to enable the company to evaluate the merits of these claims, as well as to assess the amounts being claimed. Where appropriate, provisions are made to reflect the company’s estimated exposure for such potential disallowed costs. Such provisions are reviewed periodically using the most recent information available.
Pension and Other Postretirement Plans	We fund our defined benefit pension plans annually in a manner consistent with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended by the Pension Protection Act of 2006
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy	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 September 30, 2024, are not expected to have a material effect on the company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations and/or cash flows.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2024

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

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.

Basis of Presentation

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. This realignment is reflected in the financial information contained in this report.

The 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 the financial statements are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the entire year. The financial statements should be read in conjunction with the information contained in the company’s 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Fiscal Period Policy

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 from Contract with Customer

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.

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, 2024 that was included in the December 31, 2023 contract liability balance was $354 million and $3.4 billion, respectively. The amount of revenue recognized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 that was included in the December 31, 2022 contract liability balance was $358 million and $2.9 billion, respectively.

Earnings Per Share

We calculate basic earnings per share by dividing net earnings by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during each period.

Diluted earnings per share include the dilutive effect of awards granted to employees under stock-based compensation plans.

Investments in Marketable Securities

The company holds a portfolio of marketable securities to partially fund non-qualified employee benefit plans. A portion of these securities are held in common/collective trust funds and are measured at fair value using net asset

value (NAV) per share as a practical expedient; therefore, they are not categorized in the fair value hierarchy table below. Marketable securities are included in Other non-current assets in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of financial position.

Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities

The company’s derivative portfolio consists primarily of foreign currency forward contracts. Where model-derived valuations are appropriate, the company utilizes the income approach to determine the fair value using internal models based on observable market inputs.

Fair Value of Long-term Debt

We calculated the fair value of long-term debt using Level 2 inputs, based on interest rates available for debt with terms and maturities similar to the company’s existing debt arrangements. The current portion of long-term debt is recorded in Other current liabilities in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of financial position.

U.S. Government Cost Claims

From time to time, the company is advised of claims by the U.S. government concerning certain potential disallowed costs, plus, at times, penalties and interest. When such findings are presented, the company and U.S. government representatives engage in discussions to enable the company to evaluate the merits of these claims, as well as to assess the amounts being claimed. Where appropriate, provisions are made to reflect the company’s estimated exposure for such potential disallowed costs. Such provisions are reviewed periodically using the most recent information available.

Pension and Other Postretirement Plans

We fund our defined benefit pension plans annually in a manner consistent with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended by the Pension Protection Act of 2006

New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy

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 September 30, 2024, are not expected to have a material effect on the company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations and/or cash flows.