Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES [Abstract]

15. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

15. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Contract Performance Contingencies – Contract profit margins may include estimates of revenues not contractually agreed to between the customer and the company for matters such as settlements in the process of negotiation, contract changes, claims and requests for equitable adjustment for previously unanticipated contract costs. These estimates are based upon management’s best assessment of the underlying causal events and circumstances, and are included in determining contract profit margins to the extent of expected recovery based on contractual entitlements and the probability of successful negotiation with the customer. As of December 31, 2011, the recognized amounts related to claims and requests for equitable adjustment are not material individually or in the aggregate.

Contract Terminations – The company's U. S. Government contracts generally contain provisions that enable the customer to terminate a contract for default, or for the convenience of the government. In general, a partial or complete termination for default can result from a contractor's actual or anticipated failure to perform its contractual obligations. In most instances, the government is required to provide written notice to the contractor of the performance deficiency and allow the contractor a specified period of time to cure the deficiency or explain why the contract should not be terminated. If the contract is terminated for default, the contractor may not be entitled to recover any of its costs on partially completed work and may be liable to the government for any excess re-procurement costs of acquiring similar products or services from another contractor, and for certain other damages.

Termination of a contract for the convenience of the government may occur when the government concludes it is in the best interests of the U. S. Government that the contract be terminated. Under a termination for convenience, the contractor is typically paid in accordance with the contract's terms for costs incurred under the contract prior to the effective date of termination, plus a reasonable profit or fee and settlement expenses.

In either termination event, the amount the contractor ultimately receives in settlement on the contract is subject to negotiation and agreement with the U. S. Government. If the parties are unable to reach a settlement, the amount may be unilaterally determined by the government, subject to judicial review. If the contractor incurs costs in excess of the amount of funds obligated on the contract, it is at risk for reimbursement of those costs unless additional appropriated funds are available. Most, but not all, of the company's U. S. Government contracts provide funding for the customer's contract termination liabilities such that the company is not at risk for recovery of its properly determined contract termination claims. At December 31, 2011, the company had no substantial contract terminations in process for which the customer had insufficient termination funding.

Guarantees of Subsidiary Performance Obligations – From time to time in the ordinary course of business, the company guarantees obligations of its subsidiaries under certain contracts. Generally, the company is liable under such an arrangement only if its subsidiary is unable to perform under its contract. Historically, the company has not incurred any substantial liabilities resulting from these guarantees.

In addition, the company’s subsidiaries may enter into joint ventures, teaming and other business arrangements (collectively, Business Arrangements) to support the company’s products and services in domestic and international markets. The company generally strives to limit its exposure under these arrangements to its subsidiary’s investment in the Business Arrangements, or to the extent of such subsidiary’s obligations under the applicable contract. In some cases, however, the company may be required to guarantee performance by the Business Arrangements and, in such cases, the company generally obtains cross-indemnification from the other members of the Business Arrangements.

At December 31, 2011, the company is not aware of any existing event of default that would require it to satisfy any of these guarantees.

Environmental Matters – The estimated costs to complete remediation has been accrued where the company believes, based on the facts and circumstances known to us, that it is probable that the company will incur costs to address environmental impacts at currently or formerly owned or leased operating facilities, or at sites where it has been named a Potentially Responsible Party (PRP) by the Environmental Protection Agency, or similarly designated by other environmental agencies. These accruals do not include any legal costs, nor do they include amounts recorded as asset retirement obligations. To assess the potential impact on the company’s consolidated financial statements, management estimates the range of reasonably possible remediation costs that could be incurred by the company, taking into account facts currently available to the company regarding each site as well as the current state of technology and prior experience. These estimates are reviewed periodically and adjusted to reflect changes in facts and circumstances.

As of December 31, 2011 management estimates the range of reasonably possible future costs for environmental remediation is $294 million to $752 million, before considering the amount recoverable through overhead charges on U.S. Government contracts. At December 31, 2011, the amount accrued for probable environmental remediation costs was $322 million, of which $86 million is accrued in other current liabilities and $236 million is accrued in other long-term liabilities. As of December 31, 2010, $106 million was accrued in other current liabilities and $207 million was accrued in other long-term liabilities. A portion of the environmental remediation costs is expected to be recoverable through overhead charges on government contracts and, accordingly, such amounts are deferred in inventoried costs (current portion) and miscellaneous other assets (non-current portion). As of December 31, 2011, $59 million is deferred in inventoried costs and $132 million is deferred in miscellaneous other assets. As of December 31, 2010, $61 million was deferred in inventoried costs and $124 million was deferred in miscellaneous assets. These amounts are evaluated for recoverability on a routine basis.

Factors that could result in changes to the company’s estimates include, but are not limited to: modifications of planned remedial actions, increases or decreases in the estimated time required to remediate, changes to the determination of responsible parties and their ability to pay, changes in the level of estimated contamination, changes in laws and regulations affecting remediation requirements, improvements in remediation technology, and changes in estimated amounts recoverable through overhead charges on government contracts. In addition, there are some potential remediation sites where the costs of remediation cannot be reasonably estimated. Although management cannot predict whether new information gained as projects progress will materially affect the estimated liability accrued, management does not anticipate that future remediation expenditures will have a material adverse effect on the company’s consolidated financial position as of December 31, 2011 or its annual results of operations or cash flows.

Financial Arrangements – In the ordinary course of business, the company uses standby letters of credit and guarantees issued by commercial banks and surety bonds issued principally by insurance companies to guarantee the performance on certain obligations. At December 31, 2011, there were $195 million of stand-by letters of credit, $186 million of bank guarantees, and $139 million of surety bonds outstanding.

Indemnifications – The company has retained certain warranty, environmental, income tax, and other potential liabilities in connection with certain of its divestitures. The settlement of these liabilities is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the company’s consolidated financial position as of December 31, 2011 or its annual results of operations or cash flows.

U.S. Government Cost Claims – From time to time, the company is advised of claims and penalties concerning certain potential disallowed costs. When such findings are presented, the company and the 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 expected exposure to the matters raised by the U.S. Government representatives and such provisions are reviewed on a quarterly basis for sufficiency based on the most recent information available. The company believes that it has adequately reserved for any disputed amounts and that the outcome of any such matters would not have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial position as of December 31, 2011 or its annual results of operations or cash flows.

Operating Leases – Rental expense for operating leases, excluding discontinued operations, was $420 million in 2011, $448 million in 2010, and $502 million in 2009. These amounts are net of immaterial amounts of sublease rental income. Minimum rental commitments under long-term non-cancellable operating leases as of December 31, 2011, total approximately $1.2 billion, which are payable as follows: 2012 - $297 million; 2013 - $234 million; 2014 - $208 million; 2015 - $176 million; 2016 - $136 million and thereafter - $168 million.

Related Party Transactions – For all periods presented, the company had no material related party transactions.

Spin-off of Shipbuilding Business – Under the Separation and Distribution Agreement with HII described in Note 6, from and after the spin-off transaction, HII assumed responsibility for certain commitments and contingencies related to the Shipbuilding business and agreed to indemnify the company for losses related to these commitments and contingencies. The company has therefore excluded from this report previously disclosed Shipbuilding-related commitments and contingencies now assumed by HII.

A subsidiary of the company has guaranteed HII’s outstanding $84 million Economic Development Revenue Bonds (Ingalls Shipbuilding, Inc. Project), Taxable Series 1999A. The immaterial fair value of this guarantee was recorded in other long-term liabilities. In addition, HII has assumed the responsibility for the payment and performance of all outstanding indebtedness, obligations and liabilities of the company under this guarantee, and has agreed to indemnify the company against all liabilities that may be incurred in connection with this guarantee.