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MPWMost Powerful Women

Most Powerful Women in the defense industry

By
Beth Kowitt
Beth Kowitt
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By
Beth Kowitt
Beth Kowitt
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September 20, 2012, 6:01 AM ET

Phebe Novakovic

Phebe Novakovic

Novakovic will take the helm of General Dynamics at the start of 2013. Before her current role as COO, Novakovic led the company's Marine Systems group, which is one of two of the U.S. Navy's main shipbuilders. Along with building nuclear-powered submarines and destroyers, Marine Systems is also working on new technologies like a replacement for the current generation of ballistic-missile submarines.

Novakovic will take the helm of General Dynamics at the start of 2013. Before her current role as COO, Novakovic led the company's Marine Systems group, which is one of two of the U.S. Navy's main shipbuilders. Along with building nuclear-powered submarines and destroyers, Marine Systems is also working on new technologies like a replacement for the current generation of ballistic-missile submarines.

Linda Hudson

Linda Hudson

As head of the U.S. subsidiary of U.K.-based BAE Systems Plc, Hudson was responsible for 43% of the company's revenue in 2011. Her business covers a wide array of areas: it's the largest provider of thermal weapon sights, built a smartphone app that helps natural disaster victims apply for federal aid, processed some 110 million e-filed tax returns for the IRS in 2011, and powers New York City's hybrid bus fleet.

As head of the U.S. subsidiary of U.K.-based BAE Systems Plc, Hudson was responsible for 43% of the company's revenue in 2011. Her business covers a wide array of areas: it's the largest provider of thermal weapon sights, built a smartphone app that helps natural disaster victims apply for federal aid, processed some 110 million e-filed tax returns for the IRS in 2011, and powers New York City's hybrid bus fleet.

Joanne Maguire

Joanne Maguire

Maguire's division of Lockheed is working on a handful of projects for the U.S. Air Force: updating its GPS system, improving its missile launch detection and tracking, and building it a new secure communication satellite system. Her team is also working for NASA on the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle, a replacement for the space shuttle.

Maguire's division of Lockheed is working on a handful of projects for the U.S. Air Force: updating its GPS system, improving its missile launch detection and tracking, and building it a new secure communication satellite system. Her team is also working for NASA on the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle, a replacement for the space shuttle.

Marillyn Hewson

Marillyn Hewson

Hewson takes over as operations chief for the defense contractor on January 1, but since 2010 she has run Electronic Systems, the company's biggest division. Together, its two missile defense programs -- Patriot Advanced Capability-3 and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) -- can intercept incoming missiles and reach targets beyond the Earth's atmosphere. Lockheed recently had its first international sale of THAAD to the United Arab Emirates.

Hewson takes over as operations chief for the defense contractor on January 1, but since 2010 she has run Electronic Systems, the company's biggest division. Together, its two missile defense programs -- Patriot Advanced Capability-3 and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) -- can intercept incoming missiles and reach targets beyond the Earth's atmosphere. Lockheed recently had its first international sale of THAAD to the United Arab Emirates.

Linda Gooden

Linda Gooden

The information and technology arm of Lockheed handles smaller contracts than the company's three other divisions, but more of them. Projects include working on the National Science Foundation's U.S. Antarctic Support program for scientific researchers and collaborating with the Federal Aviation Administration to modernize the air traffic control system.

The information and technology arm of Lockheed handles smaller contracts than the company's three other divisions, but more of them. Projects include working on the National Science Foundation's U.S. Antarctic Support program for scientific researchers and collaborating with the Federal Aviation Administration to modernize the air traffic control system.

Linda Mills

Linda Mills

Mills will take on a new role at the company on January 1 as corporate vice president of operations, helping CEO Wes Bush make sure all divisions are executing efficiently. Until then she'll continue to lead Information Systems, which counts providing IT systems to the Department of Homeland Security among its projects.

Mills will take on a new role at the company on January 1 as corporate vice president of operations, helping CEO Wes Bush make sure all divisions are executing efficiently. Until then she'll continue to lead Information Systems, which counts providing IT systems to the Department of Homeland Security among its projects.

Gloria Flach

Gloria Flach

The 31-year veteran of Northrop is currently responsible for shared internal functions across the company that provide services including information technology, finance, corporate real estate, and human resources. At the start of next year Flach will take on a new job heading up Electronic Systems, working on contracts like the advanced radar and situational awareness systems for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft and the navigation system for NASA's Curiosity Mars rover.

The 31-year veteran of Northrop is currently responsible for shared internal functions across the company that provide services including information technology, finance, corporate real estate, and human resources. At the start of next year Flach will take on a new job heading up Electronic Systems, working on contracts like the advanced radar and situational awareness systems for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft and the navigation system for NASA's Curiosity Mars rover.

Kathy Warden

Northrop Grumman's Kathy Warden

Along with her job providing services to national and military intelligence programs, Warden also oversees Northrop's own information security. The division recently won contracts to build a cloud-based information management system with the government and to develop software that helps U.S. military mission planning. On January 1, she'll be promoted into Linda Mills' former role as head of Information Systems.

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By Beth Kowitt
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