Northrop Grumman and the Robert J. Collier Trophy

The 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.”

Throughout our history, Northrop Grumman, our heritage companies and our industry partners have been honored to receive the Collier Trophy on numerous occasions. Northrop Grumman congratulates our employees and team members for the success of these programs and their role in the security of our nation and its allies.

The James Webb Space Telescope Awarded the 2022 Robert J. Collier Trophy

Congratulations to the NASA Webb team for winning the prestigious Robert J. Collier Trophy. Webb is the most powerful space telescope ever built and is ushering in a new chapter of astronomy and understanding of the cosmos.

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2015 – NASA/JPL Dawn Mission Team

In recognition of the extraordinary achievements of orbiting and exploring protoplanet Vesta and dwarf planet Ceres, and advancing the nation’s technological capabilities in pioneering new frontiers in space travel.

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.

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.

2004 – Paul Allen, Burt Rutan, Doug Shane, Mike Melvill, Brian Binnie and the entire SpaceShipOne Team

For the successful development of the first privately financed, built and flown space vehicle.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.