During the first nine months of 2011, net sales in the Aeronautics segment increased $1.2 billion, or 13 percent, as compared to the corresponding period in 2010. The growth in net sales primarily was due to higher volume of about $825 million for C-130 programs due to an increase in deliveries (26 C-130J aircraft delivered in the first nine months of 2011 as compared to 16 during the same 2010 period) and support activities, approximately $500 million due to an increase in volume for work performed on the F-35 LRIP program, about $235 million for F-16 support activities, and approximately $205 million for higher volume on C-5 programs (two C-5 aircraft delivered in the first nine months of 2011 as compared to none during the same 2010 period). These increases partially were offset by a decline in net sales of approximately $435 million due to lower volume on the F-22 program, and lower net sales of about $105 million for the F-35 SDD program.
Operating profit in the Aeronautics segment increased $58 million, or 15 percent, during the third quarter of 2011, as compared to the corresponding period in 2010. The primary contributors to the growth were an increase of about $55 million on the F-22 program due to risk retirements in 2011 and approximately $55 million for C-130 programs as a result of higher volume and the retirement of risks in 2011, partially offset by a decline of approximately $40 million in operating profit for the F-16 program due to risk retirements in 2010.
During the first nine months of 2011, operating profit in the Aeronautics segment increased $88 million, or 8 percent, as compared to the corresponding period in 2010. The increase primarily was attributable to approximately $95 million of higher operating profit on C-130 programs due to increased volume and the retirement of risks in 2011, and about $70 million due to risk retirements on other Aeronautics sustainment activities in 2011. These increases partially were offset by lower operating profit of approximately $60 million on several programs (F-35, F-16 and other combat aircraft and other Aeronautics programs) due to risk retirements in 2010.
Aeronautics operating margins are declining in 2011 as compared to those reported over the last few years due to the changing life cycle of significant Aeronautics programs. Specifically, Aeronautics sales are being driven by a larger share of LRIP activities on the F-35 production and C-5 modernization programs with less volume on the F-22 and F-16 production programs. LRIP contracts typically yield lower margins than more mature production programs.