Northrop Grumman Corp.‘s Aerospace segment, which includes the company’s Space Technology segment, reported revenues of $2.3 billion in the 2006 second quarter, matching revenues from the same period a year ago, the company announced July 27. Operating earnings improved from $191 million to $223 million in the same period.

Space Technology posted revenues of $865 million and an operating profit of $81 million in the 2006 second quarter, which closed June 30. In the 2005 second quarter, the segment post higher revenues of $875 million but a lower operating profit of $74 million.

Space Technology sales slipped due to lower volume for restricted programs, which was partially offset by higher sales in satellite communication programs. The operating profit increase was due to performance improvements in software-defined radios, Northrop Grumman said.

Overall, Northrop Grumman reported a profit of $430 million in the 2006 second quarter on revenues of $7.6 billion. In the same period in 2005, the company earned $367 million on revenues of $7.8 billion.

The company’s backlog stands at $8.1 billion, and Northrop expects sales of about $30.5 billion in 2006, down slightly from previous estimates of $31 billion.

“With this quarter’s solid results, including contract acquisition growth of more than 50 percent, we continue to expect double-digit growth in 2006 earnings per share driven by expanding operating margin and a lower share count,” Ronald Sugar, Northrop Grumman chairman and CEO, said in a statement. “… Electronics maintained their strong operating margin rate, and Information & Services, Aerospace and Ships all posted double-digit growth in operating margins and substantially higher margin rates, reflecting our continued focus on operating performance.”