Northrop Grumman Breaks Ground on New Facility to Support Strategic Deterrence and Advanced Aerospace Missions in Utah

ROY, Utah – July 14, 2026 – Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC) has officially commenced construction on a new facility at its Roy Innovation Center (RIC), designed to bolster the U.S. Air Force’s Sentinel Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) program along with other vital aerospace and defense initiatives.

This new addition to the RIC campus not only enhances the operational capabilities and infrastructure of the Sentinel program but also promises to generate hundreds of new jobs. Currently, Northrop Grumman employs nearly 5,000 individuals nationally who are engaged in delivering the Sentinel program, with the goal of achieving initial capability for the Air Force by the early 2030s.

The expanded facility will increase the RIC campus’ total footprint to six state-of-the-art buildings, comprising over 1.1 million square feet of office space. Construction of the new “Legacy Building” is set to begin this summer and is anticipated to be finished by 2028.

As Utah’s largest defense contractor, Northrop Grumman’s continuous investments in the state are yielding substantial economic benefits, creating jobs across various programs and missions. The company currently employs over 11,000 individuals in Utah and supports an estimated 46,000 jobs statewide, contributing upwards of $12.4 billion to the local economy.

Tony Nolls, Director of Operations, Northrop Grumman; Taylor Woodbury, CEO, Woodbury Construction; Sarah Willoughby, Vice President and General Manager, Sentinel Program Director, Northrop Grumman; Spencer J. Cox, Utah Governor; Ben Davies, Corp. Vice President & President, Defense Systems, Northrop Grumman; Amanda Davis, Vice President and Sentinel EMD Program Manager, Northrop Grumman; Joshua Johnson, Vice President of Business Management, Northrop Grumman. (Photo Credit: Northrop Grumman)

“As the largest aerospace and defense employer in Utah, Northrop Grumman plays a crucial role in our state’s economy and national security efforts. We take pride in partnering with Northrop Grumman as it continues to innovate in aerospace, enhance advanced manufacturing, and generate high-quality employment throughout Utah. Our aim is to ensure that Utah remains at the forefront of the technologies that are essential for national defense,” stated Utah Governor Spencer Cox.

Ben Davies, Corporate Vice President and President of Northrop Grumman Defense Systems, remarked, “Utah’s exceptional talent pool, strategic proximity to Hill Air Force Base, and the supportive community make this state the perfect backdrop for our expansion of the Sentinel program and other critical missions. This groundbreaking signifies our enduring commitment to Utah and reinforces our investment in both national security and local economic growth for years ahead.”

Over the last five years, Northrop Grumman has committed $13.5 billion to infrastructure and research and development, including $2 billion aimed at enhancing solid rocket motor production capabilities—an investment designed to accelerate production for the Sentinel program while strengthening the broader strategic deterrence and space launch industrial base. As progress continues with the Sentinel program, Northrop Grumman remains dedicated to delivering cutting-edge warfighter capabilities that emphasize technological advancement, affordability, and speed within a diverse array of missions relying on its facilities and workforce in Utah.

Northrop Grumman stands as a leading global aerospace and defense technology enterprise, committed to equipping clients with essential capabilities that ensure global connectivity and protection while pushing the frontiers of human exploration in the universe. Our collective mission is to tackle our clients’ most challenging issues, with employees who redefine what is possible each day.

Source: Northrop Grumman (2026-07-14T21:41:00Z)