LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND CONTINGENCIES |
6 Months Ended |
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Jun. 28, 2026 | |
| Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] | |
| LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND CONTINGENCIES | LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND CONTINGENCIES Although we cannot predict the outcome of legal or other proceedings with certainty, where there is at least a reasonable possibility that a loss may be incurred, GAAP requires us to disclose an estimate of the reasonably possible loss or range of loss or make a statement that such an estimate cannot be made. We follow a thorough process in which we seek to estimate the reasonably possible loss or range of loss, and only if we are unable to make such an estimate do we conclude and disclose that an estimate cannot be made. Accordingly, unless otherwise indicated below in our discussion of legal proceedings or environmental matters, a reasonably possible loss or range of loss associated with any individual proceeding or matter cannot be estimated. Legal Proceedings We are a party to litigation and other proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of our business, including matters arising under federal, state, local and foreign requirements relating to the protection of the environment, and are subject to contingencies related to certain businesses we previously owned. These types of matters could result in fines, penalties, cost reimbursements or contributions, compensatory or treble damages or non-monetary sanctions or relief. We do not believe that these matters, including the legal proceedings described below, will have a material adverse effect on the company as a whole, notwithstanding that the unfavorable resolution of any matter may have a material effect on our net earnings and cash flows in the period in which it is recognized. Securities-Related Actions On July 28, 2025, a putative class action was filed—and subsequently amended on January 12, 2026—in United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against us and certain current and former members of our senior management. The shareholder plaintiffs assert claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act), on behalf of persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired our securities between January 23, 2024 and July 21, 2025. Plaintiffs seek unspecified losses allegedly caused by alleged misstatements about certain classified programs in the Aeronautics and MFC business segments and F-35 program, which were allegedly revealed to be false when we announced estimated losses relating to certain of those programs. Separately, based on allegations substantially similar to the above-described securities class action, shareholder derivative complaints were filed in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland on September 11, 2025 and May 18, 2026, against current and former members of our Board of Directors and senior management. We are named as a nominal defendant. Together, the derivative complaints assert claims under Sections 14(a), 20(a), and 10(b) of the Exchange Act, as well as claims for breach of fiduciary duty, abuse of control, gross mismanagement, corporate waste, unjust enrichment, and contribution. Based on the information available to date, we do not believe that these matters will have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition, or liquidity. Lockheed Martin v. Metropolitan Transportation Authority On April 24, 2009, we filed a declaratory judgment action against the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority and its Capital Construction Company (collectively, the MTA) asking the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York to find that the MTA is in material breach of our agreement based on the MTA’s failure to provide access to sites where work must be performed and the customer-furnished equipment necessary to complete the contract. The MTA filed an answer and counterclaim alleging that we breached the contract and subsequently terminated the contract for alleged default. The primary damages sought by the MTA are the costs to complete the contract and potential re-procurement costs. While we are unable to estimate the cost of another contractor to complete the contract and the costs of re-procurement, we note that our contract with the MTA had a total value of $323 million, of which $241 million was paid to us, and that the MTA is seeking damages of approximately $190 million. We dispute the MTA’s allegations and are defending against them. Additionally, following an investigation, our sureties on a performance bond related to this matter, who were represented by independent counsel, concluded that the MTA’s termination of the contract was improper. Finally, our declaratory judgment action was later amended to include claims for monetary damages against the MTA of approximately $95 million. This matter was taken under submission by the District Court in December 2014, after a five-week bench trial and the filing of post-trial pleadings by the parties. We continue to await a decision from the District Court. Although this matter relates to our former Information Systems & Global Solutions business (IS&GS), we retained responsibility for the litigation when we divested IS&GS in 2016. Environmental Matters We are involved in proceedings and potential proceedings relating to soil, sediment, surface water, and groundwater contamination, disposal of hazardous substances, and other environmental matters at several of our current or former facilities, other facilities for which we may have contractual responsibility, and at third-party sites where we have been designated as a potentially responsible party (PRP). These proceedings could result in fines, penalties, cost reimbursements or contributions, compensatory or treble damages or non-monetary sanctions or relief. At June 28, 2026 and December 31, 2025, the aggregate amount of liabilities recorded for environmental remediation matters was $652 million and $659 million, most of which are recorded in on our consolidated balance sheets. We have recorded assets for the portion of environmental costs that are probable of future recovery totaling $600 million and $605 million at June 28, 2026 and December 31, 2025, most of which are recorded in other noncurrent assets on our consolidated balance sheets. We continue to pursue claims against other PRPs, including the U.S. Government, for recovery of costs incurred or for contribution to site remediation costs, and are conducting remediation activities under various consent decrees, orders, and agreements relating to soil, groundwater, sediment, or surface water contamination at certain sites of former or current operations. Under certain of these agreements, the U.S. Government and/or private parties reimburse us an amount equal to a percentage, specific to each site, of expenditures for certain remediation activities in their capacity as PRPs under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA). The timing and extent of remediation costs remain uncertain. New site-specific information or changes in federal or state regulation could increase current liability and recoverable asset estimates. We perform quarterly reviews of these liabilities and receivables, projecting costs and recoveries over a period of approximately 20 years. Letters of Credit and Surety Bonds We have entered into standby letters of credit and surety bonds issued on our behalf by financial institutions, and we have directly issued guarantees to third parties primarily relating to advances received from customers and the guarantee of future performance on certain contracts. Letters of credit and surety bonds generally are available for draw down in the event we do not perform. We had total outstanding letters of credit and surety bonds aggregating $3.3 billion and $3.5 billion at June 28, 2026 and December 31, 2025. Other Contingencies As a U.S. Government contractor, we are subject to various audits and investigations by the U.S. Government to determine whether our operations are being conducted in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements. U.S. Government investigations of us, whether relating to U.S. Government contracts or conducted for other reasons, could result in civil or criminal penalties and administrative sanctions, including reductions of the value of contracts, contract modifications or terminations, forfeiture of profits, suspension of payments, repayments, fines or penalties being imposed upon us, suspension, proposed debarment, debarment from eligibility for future U.S. Government contracting, or suspension of export privileges. Reductions of the value of contracts, contract modifications or terminations, forfeiture of profits, suspension of payments, repayments, fines and penalties could have a material impact on financial condition and results of operations in any particular reporting period, and suspension or debarment could have a material adverse effect on us because of our dependence on contracts with the U.S. Government. U.S. Government investigations often take years to complete and many result in no adverse action against us. We also provide products and services to customers outside of the United States, which are subject to U.S. and foreign laws and regulations and foreign procurement policies and practices. Our compliance with local regulations or applicable U.S. Government regulations also may be audited or investigated. Additionally, in the normal course of business, we provide warranties to our customers associated with certain product sales. We record estimated warranty costs in the period in which the related products are delivered. The warranty liability is generally based on the number of months of warranty coverage remaining for the products delivered and the average historical monthly warranty payments. Warranty obligations incurred in connection with long-term production contracts are accounted for within the contract estimates at completion.
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