According to the National Aeronautic Association, the prestigious Robert J. Collier Trophy is awarded annually "for the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America, with respect to improving the performance, efficiency, and safety of air or space vehicles, the value of which has been thoroughly demonstrated by actual use during the preceding year." Since 1911, Collier Trophy winners represent a timeline of aviation, as many of the awardees mark major events in the history of flight.
Throughout our history, Northrop Grumman, our heritage companies and our industry partners have been honored to receive the Collier Trophy on several occasions, including:
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2013 – Northrop Grumman, the X-47B Industry Team, and the U.S. Navy
For developing and demonstrating the first unmanned, autonomous air system operating from an aircraft carrier.
More on X-47B UCAS | News Release |
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2006 – Lockheed Martin Corporation, The Boeing Company, Pratt & Whitney, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Raytheon Corporation, BAE Systems and the United States Air Force
For designing, testing, and operating the revolutionary F-22 Raptor, providing total air dominance for America’s future. |
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2004 – Paul Allen, Burt Rutan, Doug Shane, Mike Melvill, Brian Binnie and the Entire Spaceship One Team
For the successful development of the first privately financed, built and flown space vehicle.
More on Scaled Composites |
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2001 – Pratt & Whitney, Rolls-Royce, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, BAE Systems and the U.S. Navy Joint Strike Fighter Program Office
For designing, developing, and demonstrating the Integrated Lift Fan Propulsion System, the next generation in aviation propulsion performance, efficiency and safety.
More on F-35 Lightning II |
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2000 – Northrop Grumman Corporation, Rolls-Royce, Raytheon Company, L-3 Communications, the United States Air Force, and DARPA
For designing, building, testing, and operating Global Hawk, the first fully autonomous, operationally demonstrated, and most capable surveillance and reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle in the world.
More on Global Hawk | News Release |
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1999 – The Boeing Company, GE Aircraft Engines, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Raytheon Company, and the United States Navy
For designing, manufacturing, testing and introducing into service the F/A-18E/F multi-mission strike fighter aircraft, the most capable and survivable carrier-based combat aircraft.
More on F/A-18E/F Super Hornet |
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1991 – The Northrop Corporation, the B-2 Industry Team and the United States Air Force
For the design, development, production, and flight testing of the B-2 aircraft, which has contributed significantly to America's enduring leadership in aerospace and the country's future national security.
More on B-2 Spirit Bomber |
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1959 – The United States Air Force, the Convair Division of General Dynamics Corporation, and Space Technology Laboratories, Inc.
For developing, testing, producing and putting into operation the Atlas, America's first intercontinental ballistic missile so vital to the security and space exploration needs of the United States and the free world.
More on ICBM |
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