| Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | | 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Nature of Operations Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global aerospace and defense technology company. We deliver a broad range of products, services and solutions to U.S. and international customers, and principally to the U.S. Department of Defense and intelligence community. Our broad portfolio is aligned to support national security priorities and our solutions equip our customers with capabilities they need to connect, protect and advance humanity. The company is a leading provider of space systems, military aircraft, missile defense, advanced weapons and long-range fires capabilities, mission systems, networking and communications, strategic deterrence systems, and breakthrough technologies, such as advanced computing, microelectronics and cyber. We are focused on competing and winning programs that enable continued growth, performing on our commitments and affordably delivering capability our customers need. With the investments we've made in advanced technologies, combined with our talented workforce and digital transformation capabilities, Northrop Grumman is well positioned to meet our customers' needs today and in the future. Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Northrop Grumman and its subsidiaries and joint ventures or other investments for which we consolidate the financial results. 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 During the first quarter of 2023, we changed the presentation of the components of other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax in the consolidated statement of earnings and comprehensive income. Prior period amounts have been recast to conform to current period presentation. This change in presentation had no impact on our previously reported comprehensive income in total. Accounting Estimates The company’s consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP. The preparation thereof 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 Recognition The majority of our sales are derived from long-term contracts with the U.S. government for the development or production of goods, the provision of services, or a combination of both. The company classifies sales as product or service based on the predominant attributes of each performance obligation. The company recognizes revenue for each separately identifiable performance obligation in a contract representing a promise to transfer a distinct good or service to a customer. In most cases, goods and services provided under the company’s contracts are accounted for as single performance obligations due to the complex and integrated nature of our products and services. These contracts generally require significant integration of a group of goods and/or services to deliver a combined output. In some contracts, the company provides multiple distinct goods or services to a customer, most commonly when a contract covers multiple phases of the product life cycle (e.g., development, production, sustainment, etc.). In those cases, the company accounts for the distinct contract deliverables as separate performance obligations and allocates the transaction price to each performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price, which is generally estimated using cost plus a reasonable margin. Warranties are provided on certain contracts, but do not typically provide for services beyond standard assurances and are therefore not considered to be separate performance obligations. Assets recognized from the costs to obtain or fulfill a contract are not material. The company recognizes revenue as control is transferred to the customer, either over time or at a point in time. In general, our U.S. government contracts contain termination for convenience and/or other clauses that generally provide the customer rights to goods produced and/or in-process. Similarly, our non-U.S. government contracts generally contain contractual termination clauses or entitle the company to payment for work performed to date for goods and services that do not have an alternative use. For most of our contracts, control is effectively transferred during the period of performance, so we generally recognize revenue over time using the cost-to-cost method (cost incurred relative to total cost estimated at completion). The company believes this represents the most appropriate measurement towards satisfaction of its performance obligations. Revenue for contracts in which the control of goods produced does not transfer until delivery to the customer is recognized at a point in time (i.e., typically upon delivery). Contracts are often modified for changes in contract specifications or requirements, which may result in scope and/or price changes. Most of the company’s contract modifications are for goods or services that are not distinct in the context of the contract and are therefore accounted for as part of the original performance obligation through a cumulative EAC adjustment. Contract Estimates Use of the cost-to-cost method requires us to make reasonably dependable estimates regarding the revenue and cost associated with the design, manufacture and delivery of our products and services. The company estimates profit on these contracts as the difference between total estimated sales and total estimated cost at completion and recognizes that profit as costs are incurred. Significant judgment is used to estimate total sales and cost at completion. Contract sales may include estimates of variable consideration, including cost or performance incentives (such as award and incentive fees), un-priced change orders, 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. At the request of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Space Systems submitted an engineering change proposal (ECP) during the fourth quarter of 2023 for scope increases and other aspects of the Habitation and Logistics Outpost (HALO) contract largely stemming from evolving Lunar Gateway architecture and mission requirements. The ECP addresses both work performed and work expected to be performed by the company resulting from scope changes previously approved by NASA, as well as changes NASA has requested the company to propose but has not yet directed the company to perform. The company has begun negotiating with NASA on these various changes and other aspects of the HALO contract. The company’s 2023 results include $100 million of unfavorable EAC adjustments on the HALO contract and reflect our current best estimate of the outcome of the ECP negotiations assuming the terms of the current contract; however, if the outcome is less favorable than what we have assumed, it could have an adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and/or cash flows. We recognize changes in estimated contract sales or costs and the resulting changes in contract profit on a cumulative basis. Cumulative 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 G&A costs, is charged against income in the period the loss is identified. B-21 Low-Rate Initial Production Options In 2015, the U.S. Air Force awarded Northrop Grumman the B-21 contract, which includes a base contract for engineering, manufacturing, and design (EMD) and five low-rate initial production (LRIP) options in varying quantities. The EMD phase of the program is largely cost type and began at contract award. The LRIP options are largely fixed price and are expected to be awarded and executed through approximately the end of the decade. During the fourth quarter of 2023, the B-21 program entered flight testing and the company received an award for the first LRIP lot. We previously disclosed it was reasonably possible one or more of the LRIP options could be performed at a loss principally due to the company’s estimate of the impact macroeconomic factors may have on our cost to complete the LRIP options, as well as ongoing discussions with our suppliers and our customer. During the fourth quarter of 2023, we again reviewed our estimated profitability on the LRIP phase of the program, and we now believe it is probable each of the first five LRIP lots will be performed at a loss. The loss is largely driven by a change in our assumptions regarding funding to mitigate the impact of macroeconomic disruptions on the LRIP phase of the program and higher projected manufacturing costs that reflect recent supplier negotiations and our experience in completing the first aircraft. The projected loss across the five LRIP lots, which we recognized during the fourth quarter of 2023, is $1.56 billion. The loss comprises a $143 million unfavorable EAC adjustment for the first LRIP lot and a $1.37 billion loss contingency accrual and $45 million reduction of inventoried costs for the unexercised LRIP lots. As of December 31, 2023, $631 million of the loss contingency accrual is included in Other current liabilities and $740 million is included in Other non-current liabilities in the consolidated statement of financial position. If our estimated cost to complete the LRIP phase of the program changes or our assumptions regarding contract performance, quantities, or funding to mitigate the impact of macroeconomic disruptions are resolved more or less favorably than what we have estimated, our financial position, results of operations and/or cash flows could be materially affected. Net EAC Adjustments The following table presents the effect of aggregate net EAC adjustments: Year Ended December 31 $ in millions, except per share data 2023 2022 2021 Revenue $ 298 $ 447 $ 568 Operating income 84 360 527 Net earnings (1) 66 284 416 Diluted earnings per share (1) 0.43 1.83 2.59 (1) Based on a 21% federal statutory tax rate. EAC adjustments on a single performance obligation can have a significant effect on the company’s financial statements. When such adjustments occur, we generally disclose the nature, underlying conditions and financial impact of the adjustments. During the fourth quarter of 2023, we recorded a $143 million unfavorable EAC adjustment on the first LRIP lot of the B-21 program at Aeronautics Systems as described above. During 2023, we recorded $100 million of unfavorable EAC adjustments on the HALO program at Space Systems largely due to cost growth stemming from evolving Lunar Gateway architecture and mission requirements combined with macroeconomic challenges. During 2022, we recorded $133 million of favorable EAC adjustments on the EMD phase of the B-21 program at Aeronautics Systems. During 2021, we recorded $135 million of unfavorable EAC adjustments on the F-35 program at Aeronautics Systems. No other such adjustments were significant to the financial statements during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021. Backlog Backlog represents the future sales we expect to recognize on firm orders received by the company and is equivalent to the company’s remaining performance obligations at the end of each period. It comprises both funded backlog (firm orders for which funding is authorized and appropriated) and unfunded backlog. Unexercised contract options and IDIQ contracts are not included in backlog until the time an option or IDIQ task order is exercised or awarded. Company backlog as of December 31, 2023 was $84.2 billion. Of our December 31, 2023 backlog, we expect to recognize approximately 40 percent as revenue over the next 12 months and 65 percent as revenue over the next 24 months, with the remainder to be recognized thereafter. Subsequent Event – In January 2024, the company received a termination for convenience in our restricted Space business. The company expects to reduce backlog by approximately $2 billion during the first quarter of 2024 related to the termination. 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. Fixed-price contracts are typically billed to the customer either using progress payments, whereby amounts are billed monthly as costs are incurred or work is completed, or performance based payments, which are based upon the achievement of specific, measurable events or accomplishments defined and valued at contract inception. Cost-type contracts are typically billed to the customer on a monthly or semi-monthly basis. Contract assets are equivalent to and reflected as Unbilled receivables in the 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. Unbilled receivables are classified as current assets and include amounts that may be billed and collected beyond one year due to the long-cycle nature of many of our contracts. Accumulated contract costs in unbilled receivables include costs such as direct production costs, factory and engineering overhead, production tooling costs, and allowable G&A. Unbilled receivables also include certain estimates of variable consideration described above. These contract assets are not considered a significant financing component of the company’s contracts as the payment terms are intended to protect the customer in the event the company does not perform on its obligations under the contract. Contract liabilities are equivalent to and reflected as Advance payments and billings in excess of costs incurred in the consolidated statements of financial position. Certain customers make advance payments prior to the company’s satisfaction of its obligations on the contract. These amounts are recorded as contract liabilities until such obligations are satisfied, either over time as costs are incurred or at a point in time when deliveries are made. Contract liabilities are not a significant financing component as they are generally utilized to pay for contract costs within a one-year period or are used to ensure the customer meets contractual requirements. Net contract assets are as follows: $ in millions December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022 $ Change % Change Unbilled receivables, net $ 5,693 $ 5,983 $ (290) (5) % Advance payments and amounts in excess of costs incurred (4,193) (3,609) (584) 16 % Net contract assets $ 1,500 $ 2,374 $ (874) (37) % The change in the balances of the company’s contract assets and liabilities primarily results from timing differences between revenue recognition and customer billings and/or payments. Net contract assets as of December 31, 2023 decreased 37 percent from the prior year, primarily due to decreases in net contracts assets at Space Systems, Missions Systems and Aeronautics Systems. The amount of revenue recognized for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 that was included in the contract liability balance at the beginning of each year was $3.1 billion, $2.4 billion and $2.0 billion, respectively. Disaggregation of Revenue See Note 16 for information regarding the company’s sales by customer type, contract type and geographic region for each of our segments. We believe those categories best depict how the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of our revenue and cash flows are affected by economic factors. General and Administrative Expenses In accordance with applicable FAR and CAS requirements, most general management and corporate expenses incurred at the segment and corporate locations are considered allowable and allocable costs to our U.S. government contracts. Allowable and allocable G&A costs, including independent research and development (IR&D) and bid and proposal (B&P) costs, are allocated on a systematic basis to contracts in progress and are included as a component of total estimated contract costs. Research and Development Company-sponsored research and development activities primarily include efforts related to government programs. Company-sponsored IR&D expenses totaled $1.2 billion, $1.2 billion and $1.1 billion in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, which represented 3.0 percent, 3.3 percent and 3.2 percent of total sales, respectively. Customer-funded research and development activities are charged directly to the related contracts. Income Taxes Provisions for federal and foreign income taxes are calculated on reported earnings before income taxes based on current tax law and include the cumulative effect of any changes in tax rates from those used previously in determining deferred tax assets and liabilities. Such provisions differ from the amounts currently payable because certain items of income and expense are recognized in different periods for financial reporting purposes than for income tax purposes. The company recognizes federal and foreign interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. Federal tax penalties are also recognized as a component of income tax expense. In accordance with applicable FAR and CAS requirements, current state and local income and franchise taxes are generally considered allowable and allocable costs to our U.S. government contracts and are, therefore, recorded in operating costs and expenses. The company generally recognizes changes in deferred state taxes and unrecognized state tax benefits in unallocated corporate expenses. Uncertain tax positions reflect the company’s expected treatment of tax positions taken in a filed tax return, or planned to be taken in a future tax return or claim. Until these positions are sustained by the taxing authorities or the statute of limitations concerning such issues lapses, the company does not generally recognize the tax benefits resulting from such positions and reports the tax effects as a liability for uncertain tax positions in its consolidated statements of financial position. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents are comprised of cash in banks and highly liquid instruments with original maturities of three months or less, primarily consisting of bank time deposits and investments in institutional money market funds. Cash in bank accounts often exceeds federally insured limits. Fair Value of Financial Instruments The company measures the fair value of its financial instruments using observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect internal market assumptions. These two types of inputs create the following fair value hierarchy: Level 1 - Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets. Level 2 - Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable. Level 3 - Significant inputs to the valuation model are unobservable. 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 NAV per share as a practical expedient. Marketable securities accounted for as trading are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis and are included in Other non-current assets in the consolidated statements of financial position. Changes in unrealized gains and losses on trading securities are included in Other, net in the consolidated statements of earnings and comprehensive income. Investments in held-to-maturity instruments with original maturities greater than three months are recorded at amortized cost. Derivative financial instruments are recognized as assets or liabilities in the financial statements and measured at fair value on a recurring basis. Changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments that are designated as fair value hedges are recorded in Other, net in the consolidated statements of earnings and comprehensive income, while changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments that are designated as cash flow hedges are recorded as a component of other comprehensive income until settlement. For derivative financial instruments not designated as hedging instruments, gains or losses resulting from changes in the fair value are reported in Other, net in the consolidated statements of earnings and comprehensive income. The company uses derivative financial instruments to manage its exposure to foreign currency exchange risk related to receipts from customers and payments to suppliers denominated in foreign currencies (i.e., foreign currency forward contracts). For 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 such as forward rates, interest rates, our own credit risk and our counterparties’ credit risks. The company does not use derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes, nor does it use leveraged financial instruments. Credit risk related to derivative financial instruments is considered minimal and is managed through the use of multiple counterparties with high credit standards and periodic settlements of positions, as well as by entering into master netting agreements with most of our counterparties. Inventoried Costs Inventoried costs generally comprise costs associated with unsatisfied performance obligations on contracts accounted for using point in time revenue recognition, costs incurred in excess of existing contract requirements that are probable of recovery and other accrued contract costs that are expected to be recoverable when allocated to specific contracts. Product inventory primarily consists of raw materials and is stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value, generally using the average cost method. Inventoried costs include direct production costs, factory and engineering overhead, production tooling costs, and allowable G&A. G&A included in Inventoried costs, net was $65 million and $59 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Inventoried costs are classified as current assets and include amounts related to contracts having production cycles longer than one year due to the long-cycle nature of our business. Cash Surrender Value of Life Insurance Policies The company maintains whole life insurance policies on a group of executives, which are recorded at their cash surrender value as determined by the insurance carrier. The company also has split-dollar life insurance policies on former officers and executives from acquired businesses, which are recorded at the lesser of their cash surrender value or premiums paid. These policies are utilized as a partial funding source for deferred compensation and other non-qualified employee retirement plans. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the carrying values associated with these policies were $399 million and $367 million, respectively, and are recorded in Other non-current assets in the consolidated statements of financial position. Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment (PP&E) are depreciated over the estimated useful lives of individual assets. Machinery and other equipment is primarily depreciated using declining-balance methods. The other asset categories are generally depreciated using the straight-line method. Depreciation expense is generally an allowable and allocable cost in accordance with applicable FAR and CAS requirements and is recorded in the same segment where the related assets are held. However, the additional depreciation expense related to the step-up in fair value of PP&E acquired through business combinations is recorded in unallocated corporate expense within operating income as such depreciation is not allocable to government contracts and not considered part of management’s evaluation of segment operating performance. Major classes of PP&E and their useful lives are as follows: December 31 Useful life in years, $ in millions Useful Life 2023 2022 Land and land improvements Up to 40 (1) $ 742 $ 741 Buildings and improvements Up to 45 3,605 3,272 Machinery and other equipment Up to 20 9,641 8,774 Capitalized software costs 3-5 553 524 Leasehold improvements Lease Term (2) 3,076 2,747 Property, plant and equipment, at cost 17,617 16,058 Accumulated depreciation (7,964) (7,258) Property, plant and equipment, net $ 9,653 $ 8,800 (1) Land is not a depreciable asset. (2) Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the useful life of the asset or lease term. During the fourth quarter of 2020, the company completed a sale of equipment to a customer on a restricted Aeronautics Systems program for $444 million. The company previously intended to use the equipment for internal purposes so we recognized the acquisition costs as capital expenditures and included the equipment in PP&E. As we regularly sell this type of equipment to customers in the ordinary course of business, we recorded the sale as a revenue transaction and included the net book value of the equipment in Operating costs and expenses. Although we generally classify proceeds from revenue transactions as cash inflows from operating activities, we recognized the proceeds from this transaction as cash inflows from investing activities, consistent with our prior recognition of the cost to acquire the equipment as capital expenditures. The company received cash payments of $155 million and $84 million related to the equipment sale during 2022 and 2021, respectively, and included it in Proceeds from sale of equipment to a customer in the consolidated statements of cash flows. The company received no cash payments in 2023 related to the equipment sale. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the company acquired $46 million of internal use software through long-term financing directly with the supplier. The software was recorded in PP&E as a non-cash investing activity and the related liability was recorded in long-term debt as a non-cash financing activity. During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the company received lease incentives for landlord funded leasehold improvements of $55 million and $96 million, respectively, related to Space Systems real estate leases, which were recorded in PP&E and included in non-cash investing activities. On December 28, 2022 the company acquired certain leased land in exchange for company-owned land, which had been used previously for production-related activities at Space Systems. The exchange was accounted for as a nonmonetary transaction, and the acquired land, valued at approximately $155 million, was recorded in PP&E as a non-cash investing activity. The transaction resulted in a $96 million gain, which was reflected in operating costs and expenses in the consolidated statements of earnings and comprehensive income. Non-cash investing activities also include capital expenditures incurred but not yet paid of $75 million, $113 million and $91 million as of December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Sale of Minority Investment In July 2023, the company sold its minority investment in an Australian business for AUD $235 million (the equivalent of $157 million upon settlement). The sale resulted in a pre-tax gain of $97 million, which is reflected in Other, net on the consolidated statements of earnings and comprehensive income for the year ended December 31, 2023. Proceeds from the sale are included in investing activities on the consolidated statement of cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2023. Goodwill and Other Purchased Intangible Assets Goodwill and other purchased intangible asset balances are included in the identifiable assets of their assigned business segment. However, the company includes the amortization of other purchased intangible assets in unallocated corporate expense within operating income as such amortization is not allocable to government contracts and not considered part of management’s evaluation of segment operating performance. The company’s customer-related intangible assets are generally amortized over their respective useful lives based on the pattern in which the future economic benefits of the intangible assets are expected to be consumed. Other intangible assets are generally amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. Leases The company leases certain buildings, land and equipment. At contract inception, we determine whether a contract is or contains a lease and whether the lease should be classified as an operating or finance lease. Operating lease balances are included in Operating lease right-of-use assets, Other current liabilities, and Operating lease liabilities in our consolidated statements of financial position. The company recognizes operating lease right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term at commencement date. We use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date to determine the present value of future payments and the appropriate lease classification. Many of our leases include renewal options aligned with our contract terms. We define the initial lease term to include renewal options determined to be reasonably certain. We do not recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for leases with an initial term of 12 months or less; we recognize lease expense for these leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term. We elected the practical expedient to not separate lease components from nonlease components and applied that practical expedient to all material classes of leased assets. Many of the company’s real property lease agreements contain incentives for tenant improvements, rent holidays or rent escalation clauses. For tenant improvement incentives received, if the incentive is determined to be a leasehold improvement owned by the lessee, the company generally records the incentives as a reduction to the right-of-use asset, which reduces rent expense over the lease term. For rent holidays and rent escalation clauses during the lease term, the company records rental expense on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. For these lease incentives, the company uses the date of initial possession as the commencement date, which is generally when the company is given the right of access to the space and begins to make improvements in preparation for intended use. Finance leases are not material to our consolidated financial statements and the company is not a lessor in any material arrangements. We do not have any material restrictions or covenants in our lease agreements, sale-leaseback transactions, land easements or residual value guarantees. Litigation, Commitments and Contingencies We accrue for litigation, commitments and contingencies when management, after considering the facts and circumstances of each matter as then known to management, has determined it is probable a liability will be found to have been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. When only a range of amounts is reasonably estimable and no amount within the range is more likely than another, the low end of the range is recorded. Legal fees are generally expensed as incurred. Due to the inherent uncertainties surrounding |
