Top 12 Biggest Defense Contractors in America in 2017

1. Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT)

Total Value of Contracts: $36.16 Billion

Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) is a global security and aerospace company, which generated 71% of its revenue from the US government last year, including 59% from the Department of Defense. In 2016, Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) was awarded 136,366 contracts by the DoD. Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT)’s aeronautic program, which accounted for 38% of the total sales includes the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, C-130 Hercules, F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-22 Raptor, and C-5M Super Galaxy. A total of 66% of its aeronautics sales were made to the US government last year.

Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) also has a missiles and fire control segment, which includes air and missile defense systems, like the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) and Patriot Advanced Capability-3, and tactical missiles and air-to-ground precision strike weapon systems like the Multiple Launch Rocket Systems, Hellfire, and Javelin tactical missile. The company also has a rotary and mission systems business, which includes the Sikorsky helicopters program, which was acquired in 2015, as well as the Black Hawk and Seahawk helicopters.

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These are the top 12 biggest defense contractors in America in 2017. The majority of the companies are focused only on the aerospace and defense industry, while two companies provide healthcare services for active and retired military personnel. Just two companies, United Technologies Corporation (NYSE:UTX) and BAE Systems are diversified into other industries and don’t solely rely on defense spending, while the rest are generating the bulk of their revenue from US government contracts. The top two companies among the biggest defense contractors in America are focused on aircraft manufacturing, while other companies are engaged in building and equipping ships, which seems to be aligned with US foreign policy goals to uphold international order and be a superpower in Europe, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.

Disclosure: None