Opposition to transparency in military spending and contracting

Exploiting Crises: How Northrop Grumman Corporation Continues to Profit from Controversy

3. Northrop Grumman Corporation’s Profit Playbook

Northrop Grumman has, arguably, mastered the art of navigating bureaucratic landscapes and capitalizing on them. Despite various public relations challenges, the company has consistently secured substantial government contracts, even when those contracts have faced criticism or questions. The argument is often that any issues do not cause the company to operate at a loss so there is no fault as no financial harm has been done. But it is argued that its financial benefits in contracts should be much lower, and that taxpayers suffer financially because of it. Furthermore, some analysts suggest that the fines levied against Northrop Grumman for compliance issues are often a fraction of the profits generated from the contracts in question, rendering them a minor cost of doing business rather than a deterrent. It has been argued these controversies are an accepted part of their business and business practice.