Northrop Grumman on Wednesday announced changes to its organization and leadership it argued will better align portfolios.
The company said there will be four modified operating sectors: Aeronautics Systems, Defense Systems, Mission Systems, and Space Systems. Changes will be effective Jan. 1, 2020.
Northrop is a major contractor on the bomber leg of the U.S. nuclear triad, and also currently the only bidder to build the new intercontinental ballistics missiles that will become the land-based branch. The company also, via its 2018 acquisition of Orbital ATK, is part of the management and operations contract for the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Y-12 National Security Complex in Tennessee and Pantex nuclear-weapon assembly-and-disassembly plant in Texas.
After the shuffle, Northrop’s Aeronautics Systems will be “an innovative manned and unmanned air system provider, with a proven track-record of systems engineering, manufacturing excellence and reliability.” It will be led by Janis Pamiljans, current corporate vice president and president of Aerospace Systems.
Defense Systems covers critical technology services, sustainment, and modernization. This includes integrated battle command systems, directed energy, tactical weapons, and information systems. It will be “focused on evolving threats and quick-turn requirements for a wide variety of national security, military and civilian customers” and will be led by Mary Petryszyn, current vice president and general manager, Land & Avionics C4ISR, Mission Systems.
Mission Systems will encompass open, cyber-secure, software-defined systems for defense and intelligence applications across several domains. It will be led by Mark Caylor, current corporate vice president and president of Mission Systems.
Lastly, space and launch systems provider Space Systems will be led by Blake Larson, current corporate vice president and president of Innovation Systems.
“This new operating structure allows us to take full advantage of our company’s portfolio by aligning businesses that have shared markets, customers and technologies,” Kathy Warden, chairman, chief executive officer, and president of Northrop Grumman, said in a statement.
“It will accelerate our ability to rapidly identify and deliver the technologies, products and services our customers need, and fuel our continued growth and execution,” she added.
Separately, the company noted corporate vice president and chief strategy and technology officer Patrick Antkowiak and corporate vice president and president of Technology Services Christopher T. Jones announced their intent to retire.
“Chris and Pat have made significant contributions to Northrop Grumman. Their leadership and commitment to our company and our customers have been instrumental in laying the foundation for our future success. I want to sincerely thank them for their leadership,” Warden said.
Northrop Grumman said these changes are not expected to have a material impact on the company’s 2019 financial results or guidance as updated in July 2019.
This story first appeared in Nuclear Security & Deterrence Monitor affiliate publication Defense Daily.
