fbpx

Northrup Grumman Corp. Pays $325M to Settle Defective Satellite Parts Case

After a long legal battle, Northrup Grumman Corp.; its predecessor, TRW Inc.; and a Northrup Grumman subsidiary settled False Claims Act allegations for $325 million in 2009. The lawsuit alleged that Northrop and its subsidiary, Northrop Grumman Space and Mission Systems Corp., provided and billed the National Reconnaissance Office for defective microelectronic parts used in satellites.

A government investigation revealed that Northrup and TRW did not properly test and qualify the parts, called Heterojunction Bipolar Transistors (HBTs), between 1992 and 2002. The investigation also found that the companies misrepresented and concealed information regarding the parts’ reliability.

The lawsuit was initially filed in 2002 by an employee of The Aerospace Corporation in a California federal court. The whistleblower received $48.75 million as his share of the government’s recovery.

What are my chances?

That’s the first question everyone asks. The truth is it’s impossible to know. But we can tell you this. Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel has what it takes to fight against big corporate interests and win. That’s why we’ve taken more mesothelioma trials to verdict than any other firm. And that’s why we’ve recovered more than $1.3 billion for clients like you. Do you think you have a case? Contact us now to speak with an attorney.

Call 800.226.9880