Northrop Grumman, one of the world’s largest weapons manufacturers and military technology providers, is looking to space with its latest investment. Northrop Grumman has invested $50 million into space startup Firefly Aerospace to aid the production of their jointly developed rocket, the companies said on Thursday.
Firefly Aerospace is a private U.S. aerospace company based in Texas, specializing in small- and medium-lift launch vehicles. Founded in 2017, it aims to provide affordable access to space. Key projects include the Alpha rocket, the Blue Ghost lunar lander, and Elytra orbital vehicles for satellite deployment and servicing.
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The medium launch vehicle, dubbed “Eclipse,” is built upon Northrop Grumman’s Antares and Firefly’s Alpha rocket, and is set to first launch from Wallops Island, Virginia, as early as 2026.
Founded in 1994 through the merger of Northrop Corporation and Grumman Aerospace, Northrop Grumman has grown into one of the world’s largest defense contractors, and it looks like it hopes to expand further by riding the recent wave of interest in space startups.
Northrop Grumman operates across four main sectors: Aeronautics Systems, Defense Systems, Mission Systems, and Space Systems. It develops and manufactures a range of advanced technologies including stealth aircraft like the B-21 Raider, autonomous systems, cybersecurity solutions, and space exploration equipment.
The company serves the U.S. Department of Defense, intelligence agencies, and allied international customers. With approximately 100,000 employees, Northrop Grumman reported over $40 billion in revenue in 2024. Known for innovation and cutting-edge technology, the company plays a key role in national security and space exploration.
Under CEO Kathy Warden, Northrop Grumman continues to expand its capabilities and remain a leader in defense, aerospace, and emerging technologies.
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The medium launch vehicle, dubbed “Eclipse”, is reportedly built upon Northrop Grumman’s Antares and Firefly’s Alpha rocket, and is set to first launch from Wallops Island, Virginia, as early as 2026.
Eclipse has been designed with all the standard space faring requirements in mind, the launch vehicle will be used to deliver supplies to space stations, launch satellites and spacecraft for businesses and governments, it is also expected to assist in national defense missions as well as carry science experiments for customers around the world.
Firefly gained prominence in the space race after becoming the second private firm to score a moon landing in a successful first attempt with its uncrewed Blue Ghost spacecraft earlier this year.