NORTHROP GRUMMAN CORP /DE/

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with GAAP, which requires us to make estimates and assumptions about future events that affect the amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements. We employ judgment in making our estimates in consideration of historical experience, currently available information

-39- and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from our estimates and assumptions, and any such differences could be material to our consolidated financial statements. We believe the following accounting policies are critical to the understanding of our consolidated financial statements and require the use of significant management judgment in their application. For a summary of our significant accounting policies, see Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.

Revenue Recognition

Due to the long-term nature of our contracts, we generally recognize revenue over time using the cost-to-cost method, which requires us to make reasonable estimates regarding the revenue and cost associated with the design, manufacture and delivery of our products and services.

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.

Our cost estimation process is based on the professional knowledge of our engineering, program management and financial professionals, and draws on their significant experience and judgment. We prepare EACs for our contracts and calculate an estimated contract profit based on total estimated contract sales and cost. Since our contracts often span a period of several years, estimation of revenue, cost, and progress toward completion requires significant judgment. Factors considered in these estimates include our historical performance, the availability, productivity and cost of labor, the nature and complexity of work to be performed, the effect of change orders, availability and cost of materials, components and subcontracts, the effect of any delays in performance and the level of indirect cost allocations.

We also consider the impact of macroeconomic factors on our estimates, in particular on contract EACs that span several years. For example, we have included in our EACs management’s best estimate of the impact inflation and disruptions in the supply chain have had and may continue to have on our contracts. Although the overall financial impact these macroeconomic factors have had on our company has largely subsided, volatility of the recent macroeconomic environment has added complexity to our estimation process and may result in our contract EACs having more variability in the future than they might otherwise have had if the estimates had been prepared in a more stable macroeconomic environment.

We generally review and reassess our sales, cost and profit estimates for each significant contract at least annually or more frequently as determined by the occurrence of events, changes in circumstances and evaluations of contract performance to reflect the latest reliable information available. These assessments require judgments and estimates that can be affected by any number of these factors over time, which may cause actual results to differ materially from those estimates as facts and circumstances change or become known to us.

The company performs on a broad portfolio of long-term contracts, including the development of complex and customized military platforms and systems, as well as advanced electronic equipment and software, that often include technology at the forefront of science. Cost estimates on fixed-price development contracts and early-stage/low-rate production contracts are inherently more uncertain as to future events than on mature, full-rate production contracts. As a result, there is typically more variability in those estimates and greater financial risk associated with unanticipated cost growth on fixed-price development contracts and early-stage/low-rate production contracts. Changes in estimates occur for a variety of reasons, including changes in contract scope, the resolution of risk at lower or higher cost than anticipated, unanticipated performance and other risks affecting contract costs, performance issues with subcontractors or suppliers, changes in indirect cost allocations, such as overhead and G&A costs, and changes in estimated award and incentive fees. Identified risks typically include technical, schedule and/or performance risk based on our evaluation of the contract effort. Similarly, the changes in estimates may include changes in, or resolution of, identified opportunities for operating margin improvement.

For the impacts of changes in estimates on our consolidated statements of earnings and comprehensive income, see “Segment Operating Results” and Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.

Retirement Benefits

Overview – The determination of projected benefit obligations, the fair value of plan assets, and pension and OPB expense for our retirement benefit plans requires the use of estimates and actuarial assumptions. We perform an annual review of our actuarial assumptions in consultation with our actuaries. When we determine changes in the assumptions are warranted, or as a result of plan amendments, future pension and OPB expense and our projected

-40- benefit obligation could increase or decrease materially. The principal estimates and assumptions that have a significant effect on our consolidated financial position and results of operations are the discount rate, cash balance crediting rate, expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, estimated fair market value of plan assets, and the mortality rate of those covered by our pension and OPB plans. The effects of actual results differing from our assumptions and the effects of changing assumptions (i.e., actuarial gains or losses) are recognized immediately through earnings upon annual remeasurement in the fourth quarter, or on an interim basis as triggering events warrant remeasurement.

Discount Rate – The discount rate represents the interest rate we use to determine the present value of future cash flows currently expected to be required to settle our pension and OPB obligations. The discount rate is generally based on the yield of high-quality corporate fixed-income investments. At the end of each year, we determine the discount rate using a theoretical bond portfolio model of bonds rated AA or better to match the notional cash outflows related to projected benefit payments for each of our significant benefit plans. Taking into consideration the factors noted above, our weighted-average composite pension discount rate was 5.58 percent at December 31, 2025 and 5.73 percent at December 31, 2024.

The effects of a hypothetical change in the discount rate may be nonlinear and asymmetrical for future years as the discount rate changes. Holding all other assumptions constant, an increase or decrease of 25 basis points in the December 31, 2025 discount rate assumption would have the following estimated effects on 2025 pension and OPB obligations, which would be reflected in the 2025 MTM (benefit) expense, and 2026 expected pension and OPB expense:

Cash Balance Crediting Rate – A portion of the company’s pension obligation and resulting pension expense is based on a cash balance formula, where participants’ hypothetical account balances are accumulated over time with pay-based credits and interest. Interest is credited monthly using the current 30-Year Treasury bond rate. The interest crediting rate is part of the cash balance formula and independent of actual pension investment returns. In general, the cash balance crediting rate tends to move in concert with the discount rate but has an offsetting effect on pension benefit obligations and the related MTM (benefit) expense. The minimum cash balance crediting rate allowed under the plan is 2.25 percent. The cash balance crediting rate assumption has been set to its current level of 4.84 percent as of December 31, 2025, increasing to 5.26 percent by 2031. Holding all other assumptions constant, an increase or decrease of 25 basis points in the December 31, 2025 cash balance crediting rate assumption would have the following estimated effects on the 2025 pension benefit obligation, which would be reflected in the 2025 MTM (benefit) expense, and 2026 expected pension expense:

Expected Long-Term Rate of Return on Plan Assets – The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets (EROA) assumption reflects the average rate of net earnings we expect on current and future benefit plan investments. EROA is a long-term assumption, which we review annually and adjust to reflect changes in our long-term view of expected market returns and/or significant changes in our plan asset investment policy. Due to the inherent uncertainty of this assumption, we consider multiple data points at the measurement date including the plan’s target asset allocation, third-party projection models of expected long-term returns for each of the plans’ strategic asset classes and historical plan asset returns. In addition to the data points themselves, we consider trends in the data points, including changes from the prior measurement date. The EROA assumptions we use for pension benefits are consistent with those used for OPB plans; however, we reduce the EROA for OPB plans to allow for the impact of tax on investment earnings, as certain Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association trusts are taxable.

During 2025, the Investment Committee of the company’s benefit plans reviewed the plans’ major asset class allocations and approved an update to increase the target fixed-income asset allocation from 45% to 48%. The actual

-41- asset allocation as of December 31, 2025 was approximately 43% fixed-income, 28% public equities, 27% alternatives, and 2% cash. At this time, the Investment Committee is not planning any significant changes to that mix. For further information on plan asset investments, see Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements.

Consistent with our past practice, we obtained long-term capital market forecasting models from several third parties and, using our target asset allocation, developed an expected rate of return on plan assets from each model. We considered not only the specific returns projected by those third-party models, but also changes in the models year-to-year when developing our EROA.

While historical market returns are not necessarily predictive of future market returns, given our long history of plan performance supported by the stability in our investment mix, investment managers, and active asset management, we believe our actual historical performance is a reasonable metric to consider when developing our EROA. Our average annual rate of return from 1976 to 2025 was approximately 10.6 percent and our 20-year and 30-year rolling average rates of return were approximately 7.5 percent and 8.3 percent, respectively, each determined on an arithmetic basis and net of expenses. Our 2025 return on plan assets, net of expenses, was approximately 11.3 percent.

For determining 2025 FAS expense, we assumed an expected long-term rate of return on pension plan assets of 7.5 percent and an expected long-term rate of return on OPB plan assets of 7.08 percent. For 2026 FAS expense, we have assumed an expected long-term rate of return of 7.5 percent on pension plan assets and 7.1 percent on OPB plans. Holding all other assumptions constant, an increase or decrease of 25 basis points in our December 31, 2025 EROA assumption would have the following estimated effects on 2026 expected pension and OPB expense (benefit):

In addition, holding all other assumptions constant, an increase or decrease of 100 basis points in actual versus expected return on plan assets would have the following estimated effects on our 2026 MTM expense (benefit):

Estimated Fair Market Value of Plan Assets – For certain plan assets where the fair market value is not readily determinable, such as private equity, real estate, and other alternative investments, we develop estimates of fair value using the best information available. Estimated fair values on these plan assets are based on redemption values and net asset values (NAV), as well as valuation methodologies that include third-party appraisals, comparable transactions, discounted cash flow valuation models and public market data.

Mortality Rate– We use mortality assumptions to estimate life expectancies of plan participants. In October 2014, the Society of Actuaries Retirement Plans Experience Committee (RPEC) issued updated mortality tables and a mortality improvement scale, which reflected longer life expectancies than previously projected. In October 2019, the RPEC issued an updated mortality base table (the Private Retirement Plans Mortality table for 2012 (Pri-2012)), which we adopted after reviewing our own historical mortality experience. In October 2021, the RPEC released a new projection scale (MP-2021) that included additional underlying data for 2019, which included an increase in life expectancies relative to the prior year.

The RPEC has not released a projection scale since MP-2021, citing complexities in incorporating the substantial number of “excess deaths” in 2020 and 2021 into their existing model and uncertainties about future expectations primarily related to COVID-19. As such, after considering the information released by the RPEC in October 2021 as well as the company’s recent mortality experience, we adopted the full MP-2021 projection scale while continuing to use the Pri-2012 White Collar table, supplemented with 50% of the Gradual Wear-Off illustration as outlined in the RPEC’s 2022 Mortality Improvement Update paper to reflect the future impacts of COVID-19. We used these mortality assumptions to calculate our pension and OPB obligations recognized at December 31, 2025, and the amounts estimated for our 2026 pension and OPB expense.

For further information regarding our pension and OPB plans, see “Risk Factors” and Notes 1 and 12 to the consolidated financial statements.

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Litigation, Commitments and Contingencies

We are subject to a range of claims, disputes, enforcement actions, investigations, lawsuits, overhead cost claims, environmental matters, income tax matters and administrative proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business. Estimating liabilities and costs associated with these matters requires judgment based upon the professional knowledge and experience of management. We determine whether to accrue a loss and, if so, what amount based on consideration of the facts and circumstances of each matter as then known to us. Determinations regarding whether to accrue a loss and, if so, of what amount, reflect management’s assessment regarding what is likely to occur; they do not necessarily reflect what management believes should occur. The ultimate resolution of any such exposure to us may vary materially from earlier estimates as further facts and circumstances develop or become known to us.

Environmental Matters – We are subject to environmental laws and regulations in the jurisdictions in which we do or have done business. Factors that could result in changes to the assessment of probability, range of reasonably estimated costs and environmental accruals include: modification of planned remedial actions; changes in the estimated time required to conduct remedial actions; discovery of more or less extensive (or different) contamination than anticipated; information regarding the potential causes and effects of contamination; results of efforts to involve other responsible parties; financial capabilities of other responsible parties; changes in laws and regulations, their interpretation or application; contractual obligations affecting remediation or responsibilities; and improvements in remediation technology. As we expect to recover a significant portion of environmental remediation liabilities through overhead charges on government contracts, such amounts are deferred in prepaid expenses and other current assets (current portion) and other non-current assets until charged to contracts. We use judgment to evaluate the recoverability of our environmental remediation costs, assessing, among other things, U.S. government regulations, our U.S. government contract mix and past practices. Portions of the company’s environmental liabilities we do not expect to be recoverable are expensed when the liability is established. As of December 31, 2025, we expect approximately 92 percent of the company’s environmental remediation costs to be recoverable. A 10 percentage point decrease in this assumption would result in approximately a $55 million reduction to operating income. To the extent our judgments on the recoverability of our environmental remediation costs change or the unallowable portion of our environmental remediation costs otherwise increase, there could be a significant impact on our consolidated financial position, annual results of operations and/or cash flows.

Income Tax Matters– The evaluation of tax positions taken in a filed tax return, or planned to be taken in a future tax return or claim, requires the use of judgment. We establish reserves for uncertain tax positions when, despite the belief that our tax positions are supportable, there remains uncertainty in a tax position taken in our filed tax returns or planned to be taken in a future tax return or claim. The company follows a recognition and measurement approach, considering the facts, circumstances, and information available at the reporting date. We exercise judgment in determining the level of evidence necessary and appropriate to support our assessment using all available information. The technical merits of a given tax position are derived from sources of authority in the tax law and their applicability to the facts and circumstances of the position. In measuring the tax position, the company considers the amounts and probabilities of the outcomes that could be realized upon settlement. When it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained, we record the largest amount of tax benefit with a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority. As of December 31, 2025, we have approximately $1.6 billion in unrecognized tax benefits. To the extent we prevail in matters for which reserves have been established or are required to pay amounts in excess of reserves, there could be a significant impact on our consolidated financial position, annual results of operations and/or cash flows.

For further information on litigation, commitments and contingencies, see “Risk Factors” and Note 1, Note 6, Note 10 and Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements.

Goodwill and Long-Lived Assets

Overview – We allocate the purchase price of acquired businesses to the underlying tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based upon their respective fair values, with the excess, as well as any adjustments during the initial measurement period, recorded as goodwill. Such fair value assessments require judgments and estimates that can be affected by contract performance and other factors over time, which may cause final amounts to differ materially from original estimates. Adjustments to the fair value of purchased assets and liabilities after the initial measurement period are recognized in net earnings.

We record property, plant and equipment (PP&E) for capital assets used in operating our business. The cost of PP&E utilized in support of our government contracts is generally allowable and allocable cost in accordance with applicable FAR and CAS requirements, which limits our risk of impairment on those assets. However, the cost of PP&E utilized in support of our commercial business, including approximately $600 million of PP&E used in our

-43- commercial space business, is not allocable to government contracts and is therefore subject to greater recoverability risk.

Impairment Testing – We test for impairment of goodwill annually as of December 31 at each of our reporting units, which comprise our operating segments, or more frequently if events occur or circumstances change such that it is more likely than not an impairment may exist. When testing for goodwill impairment, we may perform both qualitative and quantitative assessments. If we perform a qualitative assessment and conclude that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than the carrying value, then a quantitative assessment is performed. When a quantitative assessment is performed, we compare the carrying value of each reporting unit to its respective fair value and recognize an impairment loss to the extent that the fair value is less than the carrying value.

Our qualitative assessment evaluates relevant events and circumstances such as macroeconomic conditions, industry considerations, and reporting unit financial performance. If we perform a quantitative assessment, we primarily use the income approach based on the cash flows we expect the reporting units to generate in the future, consistent with our operating plans. This income valuation method requires management to project sales, operating expenses, working capital, capital spending and cash flows for the reporting units over a multi-year period, as well as to determine the weighted-average cost of capital (WACC) used as a discount rate and terminal value assumptions.

We performed qualitative assessments for each of our reporting units as of December 31, 2025 and determined that no adjustments to the carrying value of goodwill were necessary. We performed our most recent quantitative analysis as of December 31, 2024, where we determined the fair value of each of our reporting units substantially exceeded their respective carrying values.

We test for impairment of long-lived assets when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. Our assessment is based on our projection of the undiscounted future operating cash flows of the related asset group. If such projections indicate that future undiscounted cash flows are not sufficient to recover the carrying amount, we recognize a non-cash impairment charge to reduce the carrying amount to fair value. There were no material impairment charges recorded in the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023.

Impairment assessment inherently involves management judgments as to assumptions about expected future cash flows and the impact of market conditions on those assumptions. Due to the many variables inherent in developing the estimates used in our impairment analyses, differences in assumptions may have a material effect on the results of those impairment analyses.

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