Lockheed Martin's Top Competitors (LMT)

Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMT) is a global leader in defense-related products. Formed after a merger of Lockheed Corp. and Martin Marietta in 1995, the company's largest customer is the U.S. government, which in 2021 represented 71% of net sales. Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., the company employs roughly 114,000 workers and generates almost $67 billion in revenue annually.

Lockheed Martin makes the F-35 fighter jet, with the U.S. government being the largest contract. Several other countries have also lined up to place orders. On June 18, 2017, Reuters reported that Lockheed reached a $37 billion deal with 11 different countries (including the U.S.) for sales of 440 F-35 fighter jets. In late August of that year, it was awarded a long term contract worth up to $8 billion with the U.S. government.

Key Takeaways

  • Lockheed Martin is a defense company with substantial contracts with the U.S. military.
  • 71% of Lockheed's revenue comes from the U.S. government.
  • In addition to fighter jets, the company makes cargo jets, hypersonic missiles that travel one mile per second, and space capsules for NASA.
  • Lockheed's main competitors include Boeing, BAE Systems, General Dynamics, and Raytheon.

Beyond fighter jets, Lockheed Martin is also experiencing increased orders for its C-130 cargo planes. With its $9 billion purchase of Sikorsky Aircraft from United Technologies Corporation (UTX) in 2015, Lockheed Martin also witnessed an increase in sales of its Black Hawk helicopters. In 2018, it received two large orders ($928 million and $480 million) for hypersonic missiles from the Air Force. It received a $4.6 billion order for Orion space capsules from NASA in 2019.

Lockheed Martin competes with several other aerospace and defense companies at home and abroad.

Boeing Company

Boeing Company (BA) generates more than twice Lockheed Martin's revenue, but just over one-third comes from defense contracts. The century-old aerospace company is one the world’s largest, and a leading manufacturer of commercial and government aircraft. It is also heavily involved in advanced technology solutions for defense, space, and national security. On the defense side, it manufactures fighter jets, helicopters, and the B-52 bomber.

BAE Systems Plc.

BAE Systems Plc. (BA.L) is a British defense contractor that generates more than $20 billion in annual revenue, of which the vast majority comes from defense contracts. The company manufacturers naval ships and submarines for governments around the world. It produces military aircraft and guided weapons systems as well. 

Raytheon Co.

As the world’s premier missile builder, Raytheon Co. (RTN) is one of the biggest beneficiary of increased tensions around the world. Countries in the Middle East, Asia, and Europe are ramping up their defenses with Raytheon’s Patriot missile system, but domestic sales are growing as well. The company also builds a variety of other types of air-to-air, air-to-surface, and surface-to-surface missiles.

General Dynamics Corporation

General Dynamics Corporation’s (GD) history dates back to the late 19th century as a naval producer for the United States and a variety of other countries. The company is considered a diversified manufacturer of defense systems, technology, aircraft, and marine systems. Although it stopped production of F-16 jet fighters, the company's fighter-bomber is still considered the workhorse of air forces around the world. The company is also one of the largest contractors for the Virginia-class nuclear attack submarine and Zumwalt-class destroyers.

Article Sources
Investopedia requires writers to use primary sources to support their work. These include white papers, government data, original reporting, and interviews with industry experts. We also reference original research from other reputable publishers where appropriate. You can learn more about the standards we follow in producing accurate, unbiased content in our editorial policy.
  1. Lockheed Martin Corporation. "2021 Annual Report," Page 3 and 7.

  2. Lockheed Martin Corporation. "2021 Annual Report," Page 4.

  3. Reuters. "Exclusive: Lockheed nears $37 billion-plus deal to sell F-35 jet to 11 countries."

  4. Lockheed Martin. "Lockheed Martin Awarded Special Operations Forces Global Logistics Support Services Program."

  5. Lockheed Martin Corporation. "Products."

  6. Lockheed Martin. "Sikorsky Signs Five-Year Production Contract To Build Black Hawk Helicopters For U.S. Army."

  7. Lockheed Martin. "Lockheed Martin To Acquire Sikorsky Aircraft And Conduct Strategic Review Of IT And Technical Services Businesses."

  8. Washington Business Journal. "Lockheed Martin nabs another hypersonic weapons contract."

  9. NASA. "NASA Commits to Long-term Artemis Missions with Orion Production Contract."

  10. Boeing. "Form 10-K," Page 20.

  11. Boeing. "Boeing in Brief."

  12. BAE Systems. "Annual Report 2021," Pages 2-4.

  13. Raytheon. "Annual Report 2021."

  14. General Dynamics. "About GD."

  15. General Dynamics. "Bath Iron Works."

Take the Next Step to Invest
×
The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Investopedia receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where listings appear. Investopedia does not include all offers available in the marketplace.