______________________________________________
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 ____________________
FORM 11-K
 ____________________
(Mark One)
 
    þ
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019
OR
 
    ¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from              to             .
Commission file number: 1-16411
 
A.
Full title of the plan and address of the plan, if different from that of the issuer named below:
NORTHROP GRUMMAN FINANCIAL
SECURITY AND SAVINGS PROGRAM
 
B.
Name of issuer of the securities held pursuant to the plan and the address of its principal executive office:
NORTHROP GRUMMAN CORPORATION
2980 Fairview Park Drive
Falls Church, Virginia 22042
________________________________________________




Northrop Grumman Financial
Security and Savings Program
Financial Statements as of December 31, 2019 and 2018,
and for the Year Ended December 31, 2019,
Supplemental Schedule as of December 31, 2019,
and Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm





NORTHROP GRUMMAN FINANCIAL SECURITY AND SAVINGS PROGRAM
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
 
Page(s)
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 
 
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE
 
 
 
 
 
 





REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Benefit Plans Administrative Committee and Participants of
Northrop Grumman Financial Security and Savings Program
Falls Church, VA

Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets available for benefits of the Northrop Grumman Financial Security and Savings Program (the “Plan”) as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the related statement of changes in net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2019, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of the Plan as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the changes in net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2019, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Plan's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Plan's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Plan in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Report on Supplemental Schedule
The supplemental schedule of assets (held at end of year) as of December 31, 2019 has been subjected to audit procedures performed in conjunction with the audit of the Plan's financial statements. The supplemental schedule is the responsibility of the Plan's management. Our audit procedures included determining whether the supplemental schedule reconciles to the financial statements or the underlying accounting and other records, as applicable, and performing procedures to test the completeness and accuracy of the information presented in the supplemental schedule. In forming our opinion on the supplemental schedule, we evaluated whether the supplemental schedule, including its form and content, is presented in compliance with the Department of Labor's Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. In our opinion, such schedule is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the financial statements as a whole.

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
McLean, VA
June 15, 2020
We have served as the auditor of the Plan since 1985.



1



 
NORTHROP GRUMMAN FINANCIAL SECURITY AND SAVINGS PROGRAM
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STATEMENTS OF NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31
 
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
$ in thousands
 
Retirement Account (1)
 
Savings Account (2)
 
Total
 
Retirement Account (1)
 
Savings Account (2)
 
Total
 
 
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment in Northrop Grumman Defined Contribution Plans Master Trust (Note 3)
 
$
202,652

 
$
341,308

 
$
543,960

 
$
184,770

 
$
306,392

 
$
491,162

 
Short-term investment fund-at fair value
 
301

 
1,839

 
2,140

 

 
1,787

 
1,787

 
Total investments
 
202,953

 
343,147

 
546,100

 
184,770

 
308,179

 
492,949

 
Notes receivable from participants
 

 
871

 
871

 

 
1,166

 
1,166

 
Total assets
 
202,953

 
344,018

 
546,971

 
184,770

 
309,345

 
494,115

 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Due to Northrop Grumman Retirement Plan “B”
 
301

 

 
301

 

 

 

 
Accrued expenses
 
1

 
38

 
39

 
6

 
27

 
33

 
Total liabilities
 
302

 
38

 
340

 
6

 
27

 
33

 
Net assets available for benefits
 
$
202,651

 
$
343,980

 
$
546,631

 
$
184,764

 
$
309,318

 
$
494,082


(1) Non-participant directed
(2) Participant directed
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.



2




 
NORTHROP GRUMMAN FINANCIAL SECURITY AND SAVINGS PROGRAM
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2019
 
$ in thousands
 
Retirement Account (1)
 
Savings Account (2)
 
Total
 
 
Additions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Plan interest in the Northrop Grumman Defined Contribution Plans Master Trust
 
$
37,951

 
$
61,135

 
$
99,086

 
Interest income from short-term investment fund
 

 
51

 
51

 
Total investment income
 
37,951

 
61,186

 
99,137

 
Interest income on notes receivable from participants
 

 
48

 
48

 
Total additions
 
37,951

 
61,234

 
99,185

 
Deductions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Benefits paid to participants
 
13,386

 
26,356

 
39,742

 
Expenses
 
106

 
216

 
322

 
Total deductions

13,492

 
26,572

 
40,064

 
Increase in net assets before transfers
 
24,459

 
34,662

 
59,121

 
Transfers to Northrop Grumman Retirement Plan “B”
 
(6,572
)
 

 
(6,572
)
 
Increase in net assets after transfers
 
17,887

 
34,662

 
52,549

 
Net assets available for benefits
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning of year
 
184,764

 
309,318

 
494,082

 
End of year
 
$
202,651

 
$
343,980

 
$
546,631


(1) Non-participant directed
(2) Participant directed
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


3



NORTHROP GRUMMAN FINANCIAL SECURITY AND SAVINGS PROGRAM
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAN
The following description of the Northrop Grumman Financial Security and Savings Program (the “Plan” or “FSSP”) provides only general information. Participants should refer to the Plan document for a more complete description of the Plan's provisions.
General 
The Plan is a qualified defined contribution plan established for the benefit of certain employees of Northrop Grumman Corporation (the “Company” or “Plan sponsor”) acquired as part of the Company's acquisition of Litton Industries, Inc. The Plan is now frozen to new participants and no further contributions are required.
Both the savings and employee stock ownership plan features are reported within the Plan's financial statements. The Plan's Benefit Plans Administrative and Investment Committees control and manage the operation of the Plan. State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street” or the “Trustee”) serves as the Trustee of the Plan. The Plan is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”).
The Plan holds investments in retirement account assets (“FSSP Retirement Account”) and savings account assets (“FSSP Savings Account”) in the Northrop Grumman Defined Contribution Plans Master Trust (the “DC Master Trust”), as well as a short-term investment fund at the Trustee.
Participant Accounts
Individual accounts are maintained for each Plan participant. Each participant account is credited with an allocation of any Plan earnings from the DC Master Trust. Each participant account is charged with withdrawals and an allocation of any Plan losses and administrative expenses. Allocations are based on participant units. Participants are generally entitled to the net of contributions, withdrawals and allocations to the extent of their vesting in the account.
Investment Options
When participants were eligible to contribute to the FSSP, the first 4 percent of employee pre-tax contributions were deposited in the FSSP Retirement Account. The FSSP Retirement deposits are used in the calculation of pension benefits. Participant deposits to the FSSP Retirement Account are invested in the Balanced Fund in the DC Master Trust. Once a participant contributed the full 4 percent to their retirement account, additional pre-tax contributions were deposited into their FSSP Savings Account and could be invested in one or more of the FSSP Savings Account investment options described below. The investment funds are managed by a professional investment manager appointed by Plan management.
Participants may generally change their investment elections in the FSSP Savings Accounts daily. Existing account balances can also be transferred daily, subject to certain restrictions.
Amounts deposited into each investment fund are used to purchase units of that fund based on unit values that are updated daily prior to any Plan transactions, including withdrawals, distributions, and transfers. The value of each participant's account is dependent upon the number of units purchased to date and the current value of each unit.
U.S. Equity Fund The U.S. Equity Fund consists predominantly of holdings in large and medium-sized U.S. company stocks. The fund’s objective is to achieve a high total return through long-term growth of capital and the reinvestment of current income.
U.S. Fixed-Income Fund — The U.S. Fixed-Income Fund primarily consists of holdings in marketable, fixed-income securities rated within the three highest investment grades assigned by Moody’s Investor Services or Standard & Poor’s Corporation, U.S. Treasury or federal agency obligations, or cash equivalent instruments. The fund invests in a range of fixed-income securities that mature, on average, in eight to ten years. The U.S. Fixed-Income Fund provides direct ownership of fixed income securities.
Stable Value Account (Stable Value Account) Investments in the Stable Value Account primarily include guaranteed investment contracts (“GICs”), cash and cash equivalents. See Note 5 for further information on GICs.  
Northrop Grumman Fund (NG Stock Fund)The NG Stock Fund invests primarily in Northrop Grumman Corporation common stock.
Balanced Fund — The Balanced Fund is designed to provide investors with a diversified portfolio consisting of targeted proportions of fixed-income securities (35 percent), U.S. equities (45 percent), and international equities (20

4



percent). The fund seeks to exceed the return of the bond market and approach the return of the stock market, but with less risk than an investment only in stocks.
International Equity Fund — The International Equity Fund consists of stocks of a diversified group of companies in developed countries outside of the U.S. The fund’s objectives are capital appreciation over the long term, along with current income (dividends).
Small Cap Fund — The Small Cap Fund consists of a diversified group of U.S. companies with lower market capitalization and higher expected revenue growth than the large, well-established companies that make up the S&P 500 Index. The fund seeks to provide capital appreciation over the long term, rather than current income.
Emerging Markets Fund — The Emerging Markets Fund consists of a diversified portfolio of stocks issued by companies based in developing countries. The fund’s objective is capital appreciation over the long term.
Retirement Path Portfolios — Each retirement path is a broadly diversified portfolio of funds consisting of equities, fixed-income securities and other investments tailored to the investment time horizon of the investor. The name of each strategy reflects the year when the investor will most likely begin to draw interest and/or principal out of their portfolio. The portfolios are the Retirement Path, the 2020 Retirement Path, the 2025 Retirement Path, the 2030 Retirement Path, the 2035 Retirement Path, the 2040 Retirement Path, the 2045 Retirement Path, the 2050 Retirement Path, the 2055 Retirement Path and the 2060 Retirement Path.
All funds may include common/collective trust (“CCT”) funds. These funds manage pooled trust accounts, which group assets together to develop generally larger and more diversified portfolios. These funds may also include short-term investment funds.
Notes Receivable from Participants
Participants may borrow from their vested FSSP Savings Account in accordance with the Plan document, with loans of a minimum of $1,000, up to a maximum equal to the lesser of $50,000, reduced by the highest outstanding loan balance over the past 12 months, or 50 percent of their vested account balances. Loans are secured by the balance in the participant's FSSP Savings Account and are issued at an interest rate set at the prime rate plus one percent. Repayments are made from payroll deductions (for active employees) or other forms of payment (for former employees or employees on a leave of absence). As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, participant loans were outstanding with maturities through 2027 and interest rates ranging from 4.25 percent to 8.75 percent.
Payment of Benefits
Upon termination of employment with the Company (including termination due to death, disability, or retirement), a participant may receive a lump-sum payment of FSSP Retirement and/or Savings Account balances (net of any outstanding loan balances). In addition, a participant has the option to take the total distribution as an annuity subject to Plan terms. At retirement, a participant may also elect a rollover of his or her FSSP Retirement Account to another Company pension plan. Otherwise, distributions generally begin on a participant's mandatory commencement date. Participants may roll over account balances to individual retirement accounts or another employer's qualified retirement plan.
Distributions from the NG Stock Fund will be paid in cash, stock, or a combination thereof, depending on the participant's election.
Withdrawals
A participant may withdraw all or a portion of his or her vested Company matching contributions (plus earnings) and all or a portion of his or her FSSP Savings Account deposits in accordance with the Plan document, which provides for different rules for withdrawals based on whether or not the participant has reached age 591/2.
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Accounting
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and changes therein, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.

5



Risks and Uncertainties
The Plan invests in various securities, including U.S. and foreign government securities, corporate debt instruments, U.S. equities, asset-backed securities, common/collective trust funds and a stable value account. Investment securities are exposed to various risks, including interest rate and credit risk, overall market volatility, and risks related to U.S. and foreign government stability. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment securities, it is reasonably possible that changes in the values of investment securities may occur in the near term, and those changes could materially affect the amounts reported in the financial statements.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Plan measures the fair value of its financial instruments using observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect internal market assumptions. Assets are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
These two types of inputs create the following fair value hierarchy:
Level 1 - Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets. Level 1 investments of the DC Master Trust and the Plan primarily include cash equivalents, short-term investment funds and U.S. equities.
Level 2 - Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable. Level 2 investments of the DC Master Trust and the Plan primarily include fixed-income securities based on broker quotes or model-derived valuations.
Level 3 - Significant inputs to the valuation model are unobservable. There were no Level 3 investments in the Plan during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.
Investment Valuation and Income Recognition
The Plan’s investments are stated at fair value with the exception of GICs held by the Plan through the Stable Value Account of the DC Master Trust, which are stated at contract value. Fair value of a financial instrument is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (see Note 4). The GICs are stated at contract value because contract value is the amount that would be received by participants if they were to initiate permitted transactions under the terms of the Plan. Contract value is equal to the value of initial deposited principal, plus accumulated interest and additional deposits, minus withdrawals and expenses (see Note 5). Plan management provides direction and oversight of the valuation process. The fair value of Plan investments, including the underlying investments in the DC Master Trust, is determined as follows:
Investments in U.S. equity securities, which include common and preferred stock, are valued at the last reported sales price of the stock on the active market on which the securities are traded on the last business day of the plan year. Investments in CCT funds are valued based on the net asset value (“NAV”) derived by investment managers, as a practical expedient. Short-term investment funds are valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. Fair values for other securities, including U.S. and foreign government, corporate debt, asset-backed and other fixed-income securities, which are not exchange-traded, are valued using third-party pricing services. These pricing services use, for example, recent broker-dealer quotations or model-based pricing methods that use significant observable inputs such as relevant yield curves, credit information of the underlying security, prepayment projections, cash flows and other security characteristics to determine fair value as of the last trading day of the year. If market values are not available from the above sources, the fair value is provided to the Trustee by the party with authority to trade in such securities (investment managers or Plan management, as applicable).
All securities and cash or cash equivalents are quoted in the local currency and then converted into U.S. dollars. Purchases and sales of securities are recorded on a trade-date basis. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Broker commissions, transfer taxes, and other charges and expenses incurred in connection with the purchase, sale, or other disposition of securities or other investments are added to the cost of such securities or other investments, or are deducted from the proceeds of the sale or other disposition thereof, as appropriate. Taxes, if any, on fund assets, or on any gain resulting from the sale or other disposition of such assets, or on the earnings of the funds, are apportioned among the participants whose interests in the Plan are affected, and the share of such taxes apportioned to each such person is charged against his or her account in the Plan.
In performing any valuations or calculations required of the Trustee, the Trustee relies on the prices provided by pricing sources, the investment managers or Plan management as a certification as to the value.

6



The DC Master Trust allocates investment income, realized gains and losses, and unrealized appreciation and depreciation on the underlying securities to the participating plans daily based upon the market value of each plan’s investment. The realized gain or loss on investments is the difference between the proceeds received and the average cost of investments sold. The unrealized appreciation or depreciation is the aggregate difference between the current fair market value and the cost of investments.
Notes Receivable from Participants
Participant loans are measured at their outstanding balances, plus accrued interest.
Expenses
Plan expenses are paid by the Plan or the Plan sponsor as provided in the Plan document. Fees incurred by the Plan for investment management services of $47,000 are presented as an offset to total investment income in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits for the year ended December 31, 2019.
Payment of Benefits
Benefit payments to participants are recorded upon distribution. Amounts allocated to accounts of participants who have elected to withdraw funds from the Plan but have not yet been paid were $506,000 and $9,000 at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. These amounts continue to accrue investment earnings (losses) until paid.
Transfers
A participant may elect to transfer their vested FSSP Retirement Account balance to the Northrop Grumman Retirement Plan “B” pension plan and elect a lump-sum payment or annuity as permitted by the Plan. The total amount transferred from the Plan to the Northrop Grumman Retirement Plan “B” pension plan was $6.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The total amount payable to the Northrop Grumman Retirement Plan “B” pension plan as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, was $301,000 and $0, respectively.
Accounting Standards Updates
In February 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2017-06, Plan Accounting: Defined Benefit Pension Plans (Topic 960), Defined Contribution Pension Plans (Topic 962), Health and Welfare Benefit Plans (Topic 965): Employee Benefit Plan Master Trust Reporting (a consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force). The amendments in ASU 2017-06 clarify presentation requirements for a plan’s interest in a master trust and require more detailed disclosures of the Plan’s interest in the master trust. We adopted ASU 2017-06 on January 1, 2019 using the retrospective method. As a result, Note 3 was modified to disclose the Plan's interest in the DC Master Trust.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) - Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement, which amends certain disclosure requirements of ASC 820. ASU 2018-13 removed the requirement to disclose the amount of and reasons for transfers between level 1 and level 2 of the fair value hierarchy as well as the policy for timing of transfers between levels. The ASU also modified the disclosure for investments in certain entities that calculate NAV to disclose the timing of liquidation of an investee’s assets and the date when restrictions from redemption might lapse only if the investee has communicated the timing to the Plan or announced the timing publicly. It also clarified the measurement uncertainty disclosure to communicate information about the uncertainty in measurement as of the reporting date. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Plan management is currently evaluating the impact of this ASU on the financial statements but does not expect the adoption to have a material impact.
3. INVESTMENTS
The Plan’s investments consist of a divided interest in investments held by the DC Master Trust. Those investments are stated at fair value determined and reported by the Trustee in accordance with the DC Master Trust Agreement established by the Company.
The Plan's total divided interest represents 2 percent of total net assets reported by the Trustee of the DC Master Trust as of December 31, 2019 and 2018. The remaining assets in the DC Master Trust relate to the Northrop Grumman Savings Plan.

7



The net assets of the DC Master Trust and the Plan's interest in Master Trust balances as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, are as follows:
 
 
 
Master Trust Balances
 
Plan's Interest in Master Trust Balances
 
 
$ in thousands
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
 
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At fair value:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash equivalents and short-term investment fund
 
$
146,928

 
$
265,773

 
$
2,734

 
$
5,545

 
U.S. equities
 
3,649,721

 
2,721,409

 
21,326

 
16,765

 
Common/collective trust funds
 
19,543,274

 
13,316,552

 
426,688

 
375,594

 
Fixed-income securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. and foreign government
 
453,014

 
389,996

 
7,684

 
7,354

 
Corporate debt
 
340,767

 
303,915

 
5,780

 
5,731

 
Asset-backed
 
355,846

 
345,724

 
6,036

 
6,519

 
Collateral held under securities lending agreements
 
382,503

 
520,250

 
6,488

 
9,810

 
Assets on loan to third-party borrowers
 
82,418

 
104,837

 
1,398

 
1,977

 
Total investments at fair value
 
24,954,471

 
17,968,456

 
478,134

 
429,295

 
At contract value:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Guaranteed investment contracts
 
3,579,634

 
3,318,654

 
72,535

 
71,658

 
Total investments at contract value
 
3,579,634

 
3,318,654

 
72,535

 
71,658

 
Receivable from broker for investments sold
 
969

 
155

 
19

 
4

 
Dividends, interest, taxes and other receivables
 
7,791

 
7,786

 
170

 
174

 
Total assets
 
28,542,865

 
21,295,051

 
550,858

 
501,131

 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Collateral held under securities lending agreements
 
382,503

 
520,250

 
6,488

 
9,810

 
Due to broker for securities purchased and other payables
 
24,096

 
6,323

 
410

 
159

 
Total liabilities
 
406,599

 
526,573

 
6,898

 
9,969

 
Net assets of the DC Master Trust
 
$
28,136,266

 
$
20,768,478

 
$
543,960

 
$
491,162

Investment income for the DC Master Trust for the plan year ended December 31, 2019, is as follows:
$ in thousands
2019
Investment income

Net appreciation of investments
$
4,969,993

Interest
133,122

Dividends
58,474

Other income
2,084

Stock loan income
167

Investment manager fees
(2,885
)
Total investment Income
$
5,160,955


8



4. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Certain investments that are measured at fair value using NAV per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient are not required to be categorized in the fair value hierarchy tables. The total fair value of these investments is included in the tables below to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to amounts presented in the investments footnote (Note 3). These investments have no unfunded commitments, redemption notice periods greater than seven days or other redemption restrictions. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, there were no investments expected to be sold at a value materially different than NAV.
The table below sets forth the fair value of the investments by level, measured on a recurring basis and held by the DC Master Trust as of December 31, 2019:
 
 
2019
$ in thousands
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Total
DC Master Trust at fair value
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash equivalents and short-term investment fund
 
$
7,807

 
$
139,121

 
$
146,928

U.S. equities
 
3,649,721

 

 
3,649,721

Fixed-income securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. and foreign government
 

 
531,386

 
531,386

Corporate debt
 

 
344,813

 
344,813

Asset-backed
 

 
355,846

 
355,846

Collateral held under securities lending agreements
 

 
382,503

 
382,503

Common/collective trust funds valued using NAV as a practical expedient
 
 
 
 
 
19,543,274

Total DC Master Trust at fair value
 
$
3,657,528

 
$
1,753,669

 
$
24,954,471

The table below sets forth the fair value of the short-term investment fund, by level, measured on a recurring basis, and held by the Plan as of December 31, 2019:

 
2019
$ in thousands
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Total
State Street Bank and Trust Company short-term investment fund
 
$

 
$
2,140

 
$
2,140

The table below sets forth the fair value of the investments by level, measured on a recurring basis and held by the DC Master Trust as of December 31, 2018:
 
 
2018
$ in thousands
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Total
DC Master Trust at fair value
 

 

 

Cash equivalents and short-term investment fund
 
$
1,319

 
$
264,454

 
$
265,773

U.S. equities
 
2,721,409

 

 
2,721,409

Fixed-income securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. and foreign government
 

 
484,883

 
484,883

Corporate debt
 

 
313,865

 
313,865

Asset-backed
 

 
345,724

 
345,724

Collateral held under securities lending agreements
 

 
520,250

 
520,250

Common/collective trust funds valued using NAV as a practical expedient
 
 
 
 
 
13,316,552

Total DC Master Trust at fair value
 
$
2,722,728

 
$
1,929,176

 
$
17,968,456


9



The table below sets forth the fair value of the short-term investment fund, by level, measured on a recurring basis, and held by the Plan as of December 31, 2018:
 
 
2018
$ in thousands
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Total
State Street Bank and Trust Company short-term investment fund
 
$

 
$
1,787

 
$
1,787

There were no transfers of investments between levels during 2019 and 2018.
5. INTEREST IN GUARANTEED INVESTMENT CONTRACTS
Guaranteed investment contracts consist of fully benefit-responsive wrapper contracts that provide specified interest rates. Realized and unrealized gains and losses on the underlying assets are not reflected immediately in the net assets of the Plan, but are amortized as adjustments to the future interest-crediting rate over a period equal to or less than the duration of the underlying assets. Primary variables affecting the future crediting rate of the wrapper contracts include the current yield of underlying assets, the duration of underlying assets, and the difference between the market value and contract value of underlying assets.
Investments held in guaranteed investment contracts (at contract value) totaled $3.6 billion and $3.3 billion, respectively, as of December 31, 2019 and 2018.
Certain events, such as Plan termination or a plan merger initiated by the Plan sponsor, may limit the ability of the Plan to transact at contract value or may allow for the termination of the wrapper contract at less than contract value. Plan management believes that the occurrence of events that may limit the ability of the Plan to transact at less than contract value is not probable.
6. THIRD PARTY BORROWINGS
The DC Master Trust participates in a securities lending program with State Street through the Fixed Income Fund and the separately managed Stable Value Account. The program allows State Street to loan securities, which are assets of the DC Master Trust, to approved borrowers. Such assets could be subject to sale restrictions in the event security lending agreements are terminated and the securities have not been returned to the DC Master Trust. DC Master Trust assets on loan to third-party borrowers under security lending agreements are as follows:
 
 
December 31
$ in thousands
 
2019
 
2018
Underlying securities of guaranteed investment contracts
 
$
292,269

 
$
405,701

Fixed-income securities
 


 


U.S. and foreign government
 
78,372

 
94,887

Corporate debt
 
4,046

 
9,950

Total fixed-income securities
 
82,418

 
104,837

DC Master Trust Assets on loan to third-party borrowers
 
$
374,687

 
$
510,538

State Street requires borrowers, pursuant to a security loan agreement, to deliver collateral to secure each loan. The initial collateral required is 102 percent of the fair value of U.S. securities borrowed and 105 percent for foreign equity securities borrowed. The DC Master Trust bears the risk of loss with respect to any unfavorable change in fair value of the invested cash collateral. However, the borrower bears the risk of loss related to the decrease in the fair value of the securities collateral and, therefore, may have to deliver additional cash or securities to maintain the required collateral. In U.S. markets, State Street generally enters into a netting arrangement with a borrower which permits the netting of mark-to-market exposure for transactions within the lending program with that borrower. Such arrangements would cover lending transactions with the borrower and reverse repurchase agreements of cash collateral involving investment of the collateral. State Street may also negotiate a right of offset in the event of borrower default. In the event of borrower default, State Street indemnifies the DC Master Trust against any loss of the amount loaned. As of December 31, 2019, cash and non-cash collateral associated with securities on loan totaled $79 million and $304 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2018, cash and non-cash collateral associated with securities on loan totaled $23 million and $497 million, respectively. All of the securities on loan are collateralized at more than 100%.
7. EXEMPT PARTY-IN-INTEREST TRANSACTIONS
Party-in-interest transactions through the DC Master Trust include the purchase and sale of investments managed by affiliates of the Plan's Trustee and transactions involving Northrop Grumman Corporation common stock. The NG Stock Fund within the DC Master Trust held 10.6 million and 11.1 million shares of common stock of the Company with a fair value of $3.6 billion and $2.7 billion at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The Plan’s interest in the net assets of the NG Stock Fund was approximately 0.6 percent at December 31, 2019 and 2018. During 2019, the NG Stock Fund earned dividends of $56.0 million from its investment in Northrop Grumman Corporation common stock.

10



State Street affiliates managed $2.1 million and $1.8 million of Plan assets held in the short-term investment fund as of December 31, 2019 and 2018. The Plan paid $11,000 to the Trustee in fees during the year ended December 31, 2019.
The DC Master Trust utilized various investment managers to manage its net assets. These net assets may be invested into funds also managed by the investment managers. Therefore, these transactions qualify as party-in-interest transactions. The Plan had transactions with the Trustee’s short-term investment fund, a liquidity pooled fund in which participation commences and terminates on a daily basis. In Plan management’s opinion, fees paid during the year for services rendered by parties-in-interest were based upon customary and reasonable rates for such services.
8. PLAN TERMINATION
Although it has not expressed any intention to do so, the Company has the right under the Plan to terminate the Plan subject to ERISA provisions. Plan participants are already 100 percent vested in their accounts, and there would be no change in benefit payments in the event of the Plan's termination.
9. FEDERAL INCOME TAX STATUS
The Plan obtained its latest determination letter dated December 16, 2015, in which the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) determined that the Plan's terms at the time of the determination letter application were in compliance with applicable sections of the U.S Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and, therefore, the related trust is exempt from taxation. In December 2016, the IRS began publishing a Required Amendments List for individually designed plans which specifies changes in qualification requirements. The list is published annually and requires plans to be amended for each item on the list, as applicable, to retain its tax exempt status. Management believes the Plan and related trust are currently designed and operated in compliance with the applicable requirements of the Code. Therefore, no provision for income taxes has been included in the Plan's financial statements.

11



10. RECONCILIATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS TO FORM 5500
A reconciliation of net assets available for benefits per the financial statements to Form 5500 is as follows:
 
 
December 31
$ in thousands
 
2019
 
2018
Net assets available for benefits per the financial statements
 
$
546,631

 
$
494,082

Less amounts allocated to withdrawing participants
 
(506
)
 
(9
)
Net assets available for benefits per Form 5500
 
$
546,125

 
$
494,073

A reconciliation of benefits paid to participants per the financial statements to Form 5500 for the year ended December 31, 2019, is as follows:
$ in thousands
 
Benefits paid to participants per the financial statements
$
39,742

Add amounts allocated to withdrawing participants at December 31, 2019
506

Less amounts allocated to withdrawing participants at December 31, 2018
(9
)
Benefits paid to participants per Form 5500
$
40,239

Amounts allocated to withdrawing participants are recorded on Form 5500 for benefit claims that have been processed and approved for payment prior to December 31, 2019 and 2018, but not yet paid as of that date.
11. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) was first reported in late 2019 and has since dramatically impacted the global health and economic environment, including millions of confirmed cases, business slowdowns or shutdowns, government challenges and market volatility. In March 2020, the World Health Organization characterized COVID-19 as a global pandemic, and the President declared a national emergency concerning the COVID-19 outbreak. The Company and global community are facing tremendous challenges, and Plan management cannot predict how this dynamic situation will evolve or estimate the impact it will have on the Plan’s net assets available for benefits, but the impact may be material.
In March 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) was enacted. Among other provisions, the CARES Act provides temporary options for Plan participants with respect to certain Plan distributions and loans. Plan management has adopted and implemented certain provisions of the CARES Act and expects to make related Plan document amendments by the relevant deadline.

******



12



NORTHROP GRUMMAN FINANCIAL SECURITY AND SAVINGS PROGRAM

FORM 5500, SCHEDULE H, PART IV, LINE 4i,
SCHEDULE OF ASSETS (HELD AT END OF YEAR)
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2019
$ in thousands
 
 
Identity of Issuer, Borrower,
Lessor, or Similar Party
 
Description of Investment,
Including Maturity Date, Rate of
Interest, Collateral, and Par or
Maturity Value
 
Cost
 
Current
Value
*
 
Northrop Grumman Defined Contribution Plans Master Trust
 
Participation in Northrop Grumman Defined Contribution Plans Master Trust Retirement Account
 
$
92,888

 
$
202,652

*
 
Northrop Grumman Defined Contribution Plans Master Trust
 
Participation in Northrop Grumman Defined Contribution Plans Master Trust Savings Account
 
**

 
341,308

*
 
Plan Participants
 
Participant loans (maturing from 2020 to 2027 at interest rates ranging from 4.25 percent to 8.75 percent)
 
**

 
871

*
 
State Street Bank and Trust Company
 
State Street Bank and Trust Company short-term investment fund
 
**

 
2,140

 
 
Total
 
 
 
$
92,888

 
$
546,971


*
 
Party-in-interest
**
 
Cost information is not required for participant-directed investments and loans, and therefore is not included.


13



SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the trustees (or other persons who administer the employee benefit plan) have duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NORTHROP GRUMMAN FINANCIAL SECURITY AND SAVINGS PROGRAM
 
 
 
 
 
Dated:
June 15, 2020
 
 
 
By:
 
/s/ Michael A. Hardesty
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Michael A. Hardesty
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chair, Audit Subcommittee of the Benefit Plans Administrative Committee


14



EXHIBIT INDEX
*23
 
 
*
Filed with this report



15
Exhibit


EXHIBIT 23
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement No. 333-100179 on Form S-8 of our report dated June 15, 2020, relating to the financial statements and supplemental schedule of Northrop Grumman Financial Security and Savings Program, appearing in this Annual Report on Form 11-K of Northrop Grumman Financial Security and Savings Program for the year ended December 31, 2019.

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
McLean, Virginia
June 15, 2020