SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2025

Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Noncash Expense [Abstract]

15. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS

In May 2024, the Corporation’s stockholders approved the Curtiss-Wright 2024 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the "2024 Omnibus Plan"). The plan replaced the Corporation's existing 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan. Beginning in May 2024, all awards were granted under the 2024 Omnibus Plan. The maximum aggregate number of shares of common stock that may be issued under the 2024 Omnibus Plan are 1,560,000 less one share of common stock for every one share of common stock granted under any prior plan after December 31, 2023 and prior to the effective date of the 2024 Omnibus Plan. In addition, any awards that were previously granted under any prior plan that terminate without issuance of shares shall be eligible for issuance under the 2024 Omnibus Plan. Awards under the 2024 Omnibus Plan may be in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units ("RSU"), other stock-based awards, performance share units ("PSU"), or cash-based performance units ("PU").

During 2025, the Corporation granted share-based awards in the form of RSUs and PSUs. Previous grants under the 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan were in the form of RSUs and PSUs. Under our employee benefit program, the Corporation also provides an Employee Stock Purchase Plan ("ESPP") to most active employees. Certain awards provide for accelerated vesting if there is a change in control.

The compensation cost for employee and non-employee director share-based compensation programs during 2025, 2024, and 2023 is as follows:


(In thousands)	2025		2024		2023
Employee Stock Purchase Plan	$	2,213	$	2,002	$	1,869
Performance Share Units	5,324		5,362		5,109
Restricted Share Units	12,728		9,730		8,032
Other share-based payments	1,255		1,794		1,793
Total share-based compensation expense before income taxes	$	21,520	$	18,888	$	16,803

Other share-based grants include service-based restricted stock awards to non-employee directors, who are treated as employees as prescribed by the accounting guidance on share-based payments. The compensation cost recognized follows the cost of the employee, which is primarily reflected as general and administrative expense in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings. No share-based compensation costs were capitalized during 2025, 2024, or 2023.

Performance Share Units

The Corporation has granted performance share units to certain employees, whose three-year cliff vesting is contingent upon the Corporation's total shareholder return over the three-year term beginning at the start of the fiscal year of the date of grant. Performance is measured by determining the percentile rank of the total shareholder return of the Corporation's common stock in relation to the total shareholder return of a self-constructed peer group. The non-vested shares are subject to forfeiture if established performance goals are not met or employment is terminated other than due to death, disability, or retirement. Share plans are denominated in share-based units based on the fair market value of the Corporation’s common stock on the date of grant. The performance share unit’s compensation cost is amortized to expense on a straight-line basis over the three-year requisite service period.

Restricted Share Units

Restricted share units cliff vest at the end of the awards’ vesting period. The restricted share units are service-based and thus compensation cost is amortized to expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is typically three years. The non-vested restricted units are subject to forfeiture if employment is terminated other than due to death, disability, or retirement.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

The Corporation’s ESPP enables eligible employees to purchase the Corporation’s common stock at a price per share equal to 85% of the fair market value at the end of each offering period. Each offering period of the ESPP lasts six months, commencing on January 1st and July 1st of each year. Compensation cost is recognized on a straight-line basis over the six-month vesting period during which employees perform related services.