Northrop Grumman, the Los Angeles-based defence group, on Tuesday said profit in its second quarter rose 8 per cent on the back of new orders for its military equipment and electronics, as well as one-off tax benefits.

America’s third-largest defence contractor said net profit in the three months to June 30 was $495m, or $1.44 per share, up from $460m or $1.31 per share in the same period last year. New business awards won during the quarter totalled $7.5bn.