1. Lockheed Martin Corporation
Amount obligated: $29.4 billion
Contracts awarded: 66,353
Employees: 126,000
Current work: $528 million project for interceptors in the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense-contract. The purpose of the THAAD system is for protection from short to medium-range ballistic missile attacks.
2. The Boeing Company
Amount obligated: $14.6 billion
Contracts awarded: 12,645
Employees: 148,750
Current work: $897.5 million for additional EA-18Gs and associated airborne electronic attack kits. The "Growler" is supposed to provide tactical jamming and electronic protection for military personnel.
3. Raytheon Company
Amount obligated: $12.3 billion
Contracts awarded: 10,000
Employees: 61,000
Current work: $31.8 million contract for 464 Excalibur extended-range precision projectiles. Using its GPS capabilities, the Excalibur is considered to be the longest-range, most precise, cannon-fired projectile in the world.
4. General Dynamics Corporation
Amount obligated: $11.8 billion
Contracts awarded: 20,822
Employees: 99,500
Current work: $644.3 million for constructing an additional DDG 51 Class Destroyer for the US Navy. The all-steel, gas turbine ship is equipped with the AEGIS combat system, the Vertical Launching System, an advanced anti-submarine warfare system, two embarked SH-60 helicopters, advanced anti-aircraft missiles and Tomahawk anti-ship and land-attack missiles.
5. Northrop Grumman Corporation
Amount obligated: $9.5 billion
Contracts awarded: 10,397
Employees: 65,000
Current work: The $55 billion controversial and highly classified Long-Range Strike Bomber (LRS-B) project was designed to replace the Air Force's aging fleets of bombers. The LRS-B would be able to deliver its nuclear payload while using its signature stealth technology.
6. United Technologies Corporation
Amount obligated: $6.6 billion
Contracts awarded: 24,626
Employees: 197,200
Current work: $1.04 billion contract for an additional batch of F-35 fighter jet engines. Although the jet engines were plagued with issues, Pratt & Whitney claims that the engine's reliability rate is now at 90 percent. This multi-role fighter jet has been claimed by many military officials to be the best candidate for air-to-ground strike missions.
7. L-3 Communications
Amount obligated: $5 billion
Contracts awarded: 7,622
Employees: 38,000
Current work: Since 2001, the Pentagon had awarded $24 million to EOTech, a subsidiary of L-3, for the purchase of their holographic optical sights. The sights have since been deemed defective due to their inability to perform optimally in extreme temperatures. Further, claims have been made that EOTech had waited to disclose the defect until 2013. L-3 Communications has since settled the case for $25.6 million.
8. BAE Systems
Amount obligated: $4.2 billion
Contracts awarded: 10,133
Employees: 83,400
Current work: $245.3 million project for the initial production of the M109A7 self-propelled howitzer and M992A3 ammunition carrier for the US Army. The M109A7 upgrades the previous Paladin howitzer with a new chassis, and includes a high-voltage gun drive and a projectile ramming system.
9. Humana Inc.
Amount obligated: $3.5 billion
Contracts awarded: 206
Employees: 52,000
Current work: This Fortune 500 health insurance company provides healthcare services to servicemembers and veterans as part of the DoD's TRICARE program. Aetna, one of the largest health insurers has since agreed to acquire Humana for $37 billion. The acquisition is pending federal approval.
