Global Power Made in America: Northrop Grumman Makes it in Florida

Force-Multiplying Aircraft: The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye. Opening in 1994, Northrop Grumman’s E-2 production line, now located in St. Augustine, is the longest-running production line in naval aviation history. On the production line, more than 30,000 parts come into one end of the building, and a completed aircraft rolls out the other. The site has grown exponentially in the past 31 years to include virtual environments and augmented reality as part of production, making it a hub of manufacturing excellence. The design and engineering of the aircraft take place just south at the Melbourne site. Northrop Grumman is critical to the E-2 platform’s nearly 70-year history. As this command-and-control aircraft is a cornerstone of battlefield integration across complex theaters and contested environments, the company is continuing to modernize the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye for U.S. and international customers. 

Race to Space: Booster Fabrication Facility. Northrop Grumman is no stranger to space, having built the iconic Lunar Module that took the United States to the moon. Today at Kennedy Space Center, Northrop Grumman supports elements of major launch vehicles through the Booster Fabrication Facility. Here, company and NASA engineers upgrade, manufacture and assemble forward and aft assemblies of the twin solid rocket boosters that will power the Space Launch System rocket on Artemis missions. It’s also a critical inspection site for components that assist in flight, ensuring they’re climate-controlled and ready for launch. These solid rocket boosters will burn six tons of propellant every second, producing 3.6 million pounds of thrust to launch astronauts into space. 

More Power, Less Size: Mighty Microelectronics. Located in the Orlando region, Northrop Grumman’s Apopka facility is revolutionizing microelectronics with its state-of-the-art Micro-Line. This advanced facility processes, tests and bumps microchips for innovative chip stacking, which layers chips vertically rather than the traditional side-by-side connection. This technique enhances performance and speed, creating a powerful, all-in-one system “package.” Since opening in 2020, the Micro-Line has doubled its output, providing solutions at a pace that far surpasses traditional methods. Today, Northrop Grumman stands among a few select companies capable of packaging chips domestically. 

From the Screen to the Flight Line: Digital Design. The B-21 Raider set an industry standard in digital modeling, which seamlessly integrated the virtual and physical world. It automatically connects requirements, designs and data between Northrop Grumman and its supplier network, ensuring a high-confidence design before metal is bent. The B-21 program began in Melbourne, Florida, where engineers digitally designed the aircraft. The B-21’s digital environment allowed the company to perform engine runs within just five days of fuel testing, compared to an industry standard of weeks. To develop advanced aircraft like the B-21, Northrop Grumman’s presence in Melbourne jumped from six buildings to 17 between 2016-2022 – an exponential leap forward that allows Northrop Grumman to continue leading the industry in digital design, which saves time and money during the testing and build phases. 

A Lasting Impact. Northrop Grumman contributes to Florida’s economy through its nearly 8,000 employees in the state, generating $4.4 billion in annual economic output, according to a recent study. In 2024, the company and employees contributed $1.6 million in charitable funding to support local STEM education, workforce development and the military and veteran community. Employees also contributed more than 17,000 volunteer hours in support of local schools and nonprofits. The combined company and employee contributions help boost local communities, making the state one of the best places to do business.