Northrop details space systems leadership transition

Northrop Grumman’s board of directors has a elected a new president for its space systems segment in Tom Wilson, currently head of a division within that organization.

Wilson’s promotion takes effect on Jan. 1 and he will succeed Blake Larson, a four-decade Northrop veteran who will retire from the company on Feb. 4.

Larson will remain a corporate vice president for that month to support the transition and report to CEO Kathy Warden then, Northrop said Thursday.

A 32-year space industry veteran, Wilson joined Northrop through its acquisition of Orbital ATK in 2018 after nearly 17 years at the latter company. He currently is vice president and general manager of the strategic space systems division within Northrop’s space systems segment.

Northrop credits Wilson with being a key leader in the integration of both companies’ space portfolios in his role as head of strategy and business development within the acquirer’s space systems segment. Wilson has also worked in senior positions at the Defense Department.

Larson was chief operating officer of Orbital ATK at the time of the acquisition and subsequently led what was then the innovation systems segment. He then became the space systems segment leader at the start of 2020 when Northrop realigned its business structure.