• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
MPWMost Powerful Women

Most Powerful Women in the defense industry

By
Beth Kowitt
Beth Kowitt
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Beth Kowitt
Beth Kowitt
Down Arrow Button Icon
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.

About the Author
By Beth Kowitt
LinkedIn iconTwitter icon
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in MPW

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in MPW

TIAA CEO Thasunda Brown Duckett’s 3 rules for Gen Z entering the workforce: Adapt, lean in, and build a bigger table
SuccessGen Z
TIAA CEO Thasunda Brown Duckett’s 3 rules for Gen Z entering the workforce: Adapt, lean in, and build a bigger table
By Sydney LakeMay 11, 2026
4 minutes ago
nicole
MPWWealth
Meet Goldman’s athlete whisperer: the woman who stands guard against $1 billion of fraud targeting sports fortunes
By Nick LichtenbergMay 10, 2026
1 day ago
Young man working on laptop with headphones in modern coffeeshop
Future of Workskills gap
AI generated identical résumés for a man and a woman: Hers was more likely to be labeled ‘weak,’ while his got a 97% approval rating
By Eleanor PringleMay 10, 2026
1 day ago
Fortune 500 Power Moves: Which executives gained and lost power this week
C-SuiteFortune 500 Power Moves
Fortune 500 Power Moves: Which executives gained and lost power this week
By Fortune EditorsMay 8, 2026
3 days ago
naomi
Commentarymental health
Naomi Osaka: the things I didn’t do to succeed
By Naomi OsakaMay 8, 2026
3 days ago
burke
ConferencesAthletic Gear
The CEO of Trek Bicycle reads 52 books a year, hates smartphones, and thinks Milton Friedman was wrong
By Nick LichtenbergMay 6, 2026
5 days ago

Most Popular

‘This is the way’: Elon Musk endorses Warren Buffett’s famed 5-minute plan to fix the national debt
Economy
‘This is the way’: Elon Musk endorses Warren Buffett’s famed 5-minute plan to fix the national debt
By Jacqueline MunisMay 10, 2026
1 day ago
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says Gen Z and millennials are using ChatGPT like a 'life advisor'—but college students might be one step ahead
Tech
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says Gen Z and millennials are using ChatGPT like a 'life advisor'—but college students might be one step ahead
By Sydney LakeMay 10, 2026
1 day ago
Red flag test: former CEO explains why he rejects job candidates who say they can start right away
Success
Red flag test: former CEO explains why he rejects job candidates who say they can start right away
By Orianna Rosa RoyleMay 9, 2026
2 days ago
'Employers are increasingly turning to degree and GPA' in hiring: Recruiters retreat from ‘talent is everywhere,’ double down on top colleges
Future of Work
'Employers are increasingly turning to degree and GPA' in hiring: Recruiters retreat from ‘talent is everywhere,’ double down on top colleges
By Jake AngeloMay 9, 2026
2 days ago
Trump thinks he's flying to Beijing with leverage. China spent 6 years making sure he doesn't have any
Commentary
Trump thinks he's flying to Beijing with leverage. China spent 6 years making sure he doesn't have any
By Steve H. HankeMay 10, 2026
1 day ago
Ted Cruz says the quiet part out loud: Trump accounts are Social Security personal accounts as GOP senator reveals 'dirty little secret'
Politics
Ted Cruz says the quiet part out loud: Trump accounts are Social Security personal accounts as GOP senator reveals 'dirty little secret'
By Jason MaMay 9, 2026
2 days ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.