<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

<!--XBRL Document Created with Wdesk from Workiva-->
<!--Copyright 2023 Workiva-->
<!--r:80c4b276-b8d4-4195-b0a1-1d83f1af0b27,g:e9760389-e7b4-4472-b7b3-1899489edbae-->
<link:linkbase xmlns:link="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xbrldt="http://xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-linkbase-2003-12-31.xsd">
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#all"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#hypercube-dimension"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-default"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-domain"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#domain-member"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofEarningsandComprehensiveIncome" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#ConsolidatedStatementsofEarningsandComprehensiveIncome"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofEarningsandComprehensiveIncome" xlink:type="extended" id="i73e3a6832e7044a18b83e4fd69d37ebe_ConsolidatedStatementsofEarningsandComprehensiveIncome">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_71c788d6-c0ce-4c11-aec7-4bbb4eef0d69" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold_85363bcb-fc9b-4aeb-9e3c-2a88070a94ce" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_71c788d6-c0ce-4c11-aec7-4bbb4eef0d69" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold_85363bcb-fc9b-4aeb-9e3c-2a88070a94ce" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_fe843eb8-ea99-454b-b6e2-17fe9c79ea69" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_Revenues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_71c788d6-c0ce-4c11-aec7-4bbb4eef0d69" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_fe843eb8-ea99-454b-b6e2-17fe9c79ea69" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_e35f9165-091a-4e38-8efd-ff98016efe84" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_71c788d6-c0ce-4c11-aec7-4bbb4eef0d69" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_e35f9165-091a-4e38-8efd-ff98016efe84" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_ae519ee2-a343-44e5-82d6-acb719c84230" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_71c788d6-c0ce-4c11-aec7-4bbb4eef0d69" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_ae519ee2-a343-44e5-82d6-acb719c84230" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_e255e721-ccff-4dd3-9eff-8816e40542a5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_ae519ee2-a343-44e5-82d6-acb719c84230" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_e255e721-ccff-4dd3-9eff-8816e40542a5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_e255e721-ccff-4dd3-9eff-8816e40542a5_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_e255e721-ccff-4dd3-9eff-8816e40542a5" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_e255e721-ccff-4dd3-9eff-8816e40542a5_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_d603926f-fc23-4e95-bea1-72d72167c34b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_e255e721-ccff-4dd3-9eff-8816e40542a5" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_d603926f-fc23-4e95-bea1-72d72167c34b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProductMember_a5a55054-12cb-437e-a47b-170e283a4f68" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ProductMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_d603926f-fc23-4e95-bea1-72d72167c34b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProductMember_a5a55054-12cb-437e-a47b-170e283a4f68" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ServiceMember_7cb04ddc-7d9f-4508-b60f-c22f80621327" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ServiceMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_d603926f-fc23-4e95-bea1-72d72167c34b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ServiceMember_7cb04ddc-7d9f-4508-b60f-c22f80621327" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofChangesinShareholdersEquity" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#ConsolidatedStatementsofChangesinShareholdersEquity"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofChangesinShareholdersEquity" xlink:type="extended" id="iab92aaabfb47439a82c654a6dd637ba5_ConsolidatedStatementsofChangesinShareholdersEquity">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_509b2736-0995-45c1-8018-d4facaf71f21" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_3613ad95-7b7d-49fe-a64f-2b4c33920aa9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_509b2736-0995-45c1-8018-d4facaf71f21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_3613ad95-7b7d-49fe-a64f-2b4c33920aa9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue_d598938a-d749-4a8b-aedf-6e33d016201d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_509b2736-0995-45c1-8018-d4facaf71f21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue_d598938a-d749-4a8b-aedf-6e33d016201d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation_2141da86-cc27-40a7-be5f-371248e862ad" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_509b2736-0995-45c1-8018-d4facaf71f21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation_2141da86-cc27-40a7-be5f-371248e862ad" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityOther_646b24fa-aabb-4247-9fa6-6ea92fbb21e5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityOther"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_509b2736-0995-45c1-8018-d4facaf71f21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityOther_646b24fa-aabb-4247-9fa6-6ea92fbb21e5" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_686e1704-d5e1-4cf7-a0df-4cf7e2bdd7a1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_509b2736-0995-45c1-8018-d4facaf71f21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_686e1704-d5e1-4cf7-a0df-4cf7e2bdd7a1" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DividendsCommonStock_8af208b4-4fd2-494d-ae56-66997104011d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DividendsCommonStock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_509b2736-0995-45c1-8018-d4facaf71f21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DividendsCommonStock_8af208b4-4fd2-494d-ae56-66997104011d" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_0590e966-e5c5-4ccc-8ae3-125e631c263d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_509b2736-0995-45c1-8018-d4facaf71f21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_0590e966-e5c5-4ccc-8ae3-125e631c263d" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_c661e7b3-fe2e-49c0-be49-b9a621869296" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_fac3d354-6229-492c-8b26-9f3236ce73ed" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_509b2736-0995-45c1-8018-d4facaf71f21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_fac3d354-6229-492c-8b26-9f3236ce73ed" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_baa8fceb-fe8e-4474-8113-e206ac9004b4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_509b2736-0995-45c1-8018-d4facaf71f21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_baa8fceb-fe8e-4474-8113-e206ac9004b4" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_eb9387cc-ba1d-4929-b625-65ca9441a7cc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_baa8fceb-fe8e-4474-8113-e206ac9004b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_eb9387cc-ba1d-4929-b625-65ca9441a7cc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_eb9387cc-ba1d-4929-b625-65ca9441a7cc_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_eb9387cc-ba1d-4929-b625-65ca9441a7cc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_eb9387cc-ba1d-4929-b625-65ca9441a7cc_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_05ce54b4-0d5a-4c2f-b21c-defde4269a0c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_eb9387cc-ba1d-4929-b625-65ca9441a7cc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_05ce54b4-0d5a-4c2f-b21c-defde4269a0c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_03014d15-473a-4ac2-a571-adaa32282e01" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_05ce54b4-0d5a-4c2f-b21c-defde4269a0c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_03014d15-473a-4ac2-a571-adaa32282e01" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_70e8bb29-9c7f-46b5-a98a-3d2e0cc6662d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_05ce54b4-0d5a-4c2f-b21c-defde4269a0c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_70e8bb29-9c7f-46b5-a98a-3d2e0cc6662d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_4a72b20b-6fb7-4558-b7b6-cf199e409079" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_05ce54b4-0d5a-4c2f-b21c-defde4269a0c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_4a72b20b-6fb7-4558-b7b6-cf199e409079" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_f0c78134-f25f-4137-bf9d-3fb204b7dc1d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_05ce54b4-0d5a-4c2f-b21c-defde4269a0c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_f0c78134-f25f-4137-bf9d-3fb204b7dc1d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesPropertyPlantandEquipmentDetails2" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesPropertyPlantandEquipmentDetails2"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesPropertyPlantandEquipmentDetails2" xlink:type="extended" id="i29ca62186f204677b679fde085e702aa_SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesPropertyPlantandEquipmentDetails2">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_432c710b-4157-41a5-aea6-c8ecc2381a8f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross_23b260ec-5ed5-4ab8-9633-cfa450272583" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_432c710b-4157-41a5-aea6-c8ecc2381a8f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross_23b260ec-5ed5-4ab8-9633-cfa450272583" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment_5d72dab2-2e51-4502-8208-8c657e62e428" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_432c710b-4157-41a5-aea6-c8ecc2381a8f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment_5d72dab2-2e51-4502-8208-8c657e62e428" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet_11491cde-6bc0-47f7-89e6-e85f8e27b14a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_432c710b-4157-41a5-aea6-c8ecc2381a8f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet_11491cde-6bc0-47f7-89e6-e85f8e27b14a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife_c6fa38fd-14e6-4d0d-95fe-a4538d5063d7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_432c710b-4157-41a5-aea6-c8ecc2381a8f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife_c6fa38fd-14e6-4d0d-95fe-a4538d5063d7" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionFixedAssetsAcquired1_e27d06dc-62ae-41e3-89f5-a8bba9179489" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionFixedAssetsAcquired1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_432c710b-4157-41a5-aea6-c8ecc2381a8f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionFixedAssetsAcquired1_e27d06dc-62ae-41e3-89f5-a8bba9179489" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_61e5b848-409f-4996-870c-b57cb5e6c95c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_432c710b-4157-41a5-aea6-c8ecc2381a8f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_61e5b848-409f-4996-870c-b57cb5e6c95c" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis_f676bd3d-56a8-440c-afc9-8dbee73e6847" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_61e5b848-409f-4996-870c-b57cb5e6c95c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis_f676bd3d-56a8-440c-afc9-8dbee73e6847" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember_f676bd3d-56a8-440c-afc9-8dbee73e6847_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis_f676bd3d-56a8-440c-afc9-8dbee73e6847" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember_f676bd3d-56a8-440c-afc9-8dbee73e6847_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember_bea66b40-0f3a-41c1-907c-11969e27551b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis_f676bd3d-56a8-440c-afc9-8dbee73e6847" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember_bea66b40-0f3a-41c1-907c-11969e27551b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_00f17609-86bc-4a34-abec-ddf122876ccf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_61e5b848-409f-4996-870c-b57cb5e6c95c" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_00f17609-86bc-4a34-abec-ddf122876ccf" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_00f17609-86bc-4a34-abec-ddf122876ccf_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_00f17609-86bc-4a34-abec-ddf122876ccf" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_00f17609-86bc-4a34-abec-ddf122876ccf_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_a65ba17c-49ff-43b2-9ddb-2b1032b57623" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_00f17609-86bc-4a34-abec-ddf122876ccf" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_a65ba17c-49ff-43b2-9ddb-2b1032b57623" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_e9dbccae-078e-4dac-b872-4897c50e8942" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_a65ba17c-49ff-43b2-9ddb-2b1032b57623" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_e9dbccae-078e-4dac-b872-4897c50e8942" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_70d9cd8c-7caf-4afd-8bf6-4855c8607e66" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_a65ba17c-49ff-43b2-9ddb-2b1032b57623" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_70d9cd8c-7caf-4afd-8bf6-4855c8607e66" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_b0034c97-bba1-46f9-b53c-6d2dc797053c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_61e5b848-409f-4996-870c-b57cb5e6c95c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_b0034c97-bba1-46f9-b53c-6d2dc797053c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_b0034c97-bba1-46f9-b53c-6d2dc797053c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_b0034c97-bba1-46f9-b53c-6d2dc797053c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_b0034c97-bba1-46f9-b53c-6d2dc797053c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_1cb05c40-6e0b-47d9-bb67-8517f0156c02" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_b0034c97-bba1-46f9-b53c-6d2dc797053c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_1cb05c40-6e0b-47d9-bb67-8517f0156c02" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LandAndLandImprovementsMember_c6d9c326-496d-4e13-b078-08df0f74cc35" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LandAndLandImprovementsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_1cb05c40-6e0b-47d9-bb67-8517f0156c02" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LandAndLandImprovementsMember_c6d9c326-496d-4e13-b078-08df0f74cc35" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BuildingAndBuildingImprovementsMember_894caa6e-5477-4055-8065-dbe7bf0665a4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_BuildingAndBuildingImprovementsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_1cb05c40-6e0b-47d9-bb67-8517f0156c02" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BuildingAndBuildingImprovementsMember_894caa6e-5477-4055-8065-dbe7bf0665a4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MachineryAndEquipmentMember_f6af3af4-0fde-433d-8c48-0bc288e14120" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_MachineryAndEquipmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_1cb05c40-6e0b-47d9-bb67-8517f0156c02" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MachineryAndEquipmentMember_f6af3af4-0fde-433d-8c48-0bc288e14120" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SoftwareAndSoftwareDevelopmentCostsMember_41bf2fed-39d0-48f2-963a-e32b20874854" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SoftwareAndSoftwareDevelopmentCostsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_1cb05c40-6e0b-47d9-bb67-8517f0156c02" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SoftwareAndSoftwareDevelopmentCostsMember_41bf2fed-39d0-48f2-963a-e32b20874854" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LeaseholdImprovementsMember_68870a6f-7446-4b40-8044-b4d70bbd4596" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LeaseholdImprovementsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_1cb05c40-6e0b-47d9-bb67-8517f0156c02" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LeaseholdImprovementsMember_68870a6f-7446-4b40-8044-b4d70bbd4596" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LandMember_a7d435c6-a8fa-4d79-93c1-e9c468ea2cc3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LandMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_1cb05c40-6e0b-47d9-bb67-8517f0156c02" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LandMember_a7d435c6-a8fa-4d79-93c1-e9c468ea2cc3" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesContractEstimatesDetails5" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesContractEstimatesDetails5"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesContractEstimatesDetails5" xlink:type="extended" id="i6692a4e5826f4c35b44314042997e4f5_SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesContractEstimatesDetails5">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingEstimateLineItems_c73e57be-4501-4412-b305-c2673a1bf0a7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingEstimateLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerPerformanceObligationSatisfiedInPreviousPeriod_dc210bd8-a206-47aa-8235-61f90d719b00" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerPerformanceObligationSatisfiedInPreviousPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingEstimateLineItems_c73e57be-4501-4412-b305-c2673a1bf0a7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerPerformanceObligationSatisfiedInPreviousPeriod_dc210bd8-a206-47aa-8235-61f90d719b00" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_e756c090-94eb-4604-878a-e36b97309a95" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingEstimateLineItems_c73e57be-4501-4412-b305-c2673a1bf0a7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_e756c090-94eb-4604-878a-e36b97309a95" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_1de2c3d6-bbf7-43f5-a5ed-92b5f14df009" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingEstimateLineItems_c73e57be-4501-4412-b305-c2673a1bf0a7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_1de2c3d6-bbf7-43f5-a5ed-92b5f14df009" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted_6f5a4fca-f2e1-4dfe-a757-522b43c1e936" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingEstimateLineItems_c73e57be-4501-4412-b305-c2673a1bf0a7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted_6f5a4fca-f2e1-4dfe-a757-522b43c1e936" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfChangeInAccountingEstimateTable_357b4c59-db83-4a8c-9db8-1f86ff6b39f9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfChangeInAccountingEstimateTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingEstimateLineItems_c73e57be-4501-4412-b305-c2673a1bf0a7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfChangeInAccountingEstimateTable_357b4c59-db83-4a8c-9db8-1f86ff6b39f9" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_477c09db-2d93-442c-be3f-183ef6cf8fd0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_MajorCustomersAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfChangeInAccountingEstimateTable_357b4c59-db83-4a8c-9db8-1f86ff6b39f9" xlink:to="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_477c09db-2d93-442c-be3f-183ef6cf8fd0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_477c09db-2d93-442c-be3f-183ef6cf8fd0_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_477c09db-2d93-442c-be3f-183ef6cf8fd0" xlink:to="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_477c09db-2d93-442c-be3f-183ef6cf8fd0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_7bed69bb-4ca5-4d82-a23c-f22e41cac9bc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_477c09db-2d93-442c-be3f-183ef6cf8fd0" xlink:to="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_7bed69bb-4ca5-4d82-a23c-f22e41cac9bc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_F35ProgramMember_ba722fe6-1ae1-4ce6-9228-7a578e3782fb" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_F35ProgramMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_7bed69bb-4ca5-4d82-a23c-f22e41cac9bc" xlink:to="loc_noc_F35ProgramMember_ba722fe6-1ae1-4ce6-9228-7a578e3782fb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_RestrictedProgramMember_f65ac406-8322-474b-92c8-8aeadda29130" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_RestrictedProgramMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_7bed69bb-4ca5-4d82-a23c-f22e41cac9bc" xlink:to="loc_noc_RestrictedProgramMember_f65ac406-8322-474b-92c8-8aeadda29130" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingEstimateByTypeAxis_311c5a91-71d8-4dd9-a3a3-8e50cfbe90fe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingEstimateByTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfChangeInAccountingEstimateTable_357b4c59-db83-4a8c-9db8-1f86ff6b39f9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingEstimateByTypeAxis_311c5a91-71d8-4dd9-a3a3-8e50cfbe90fe" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingEstimateTypeDomain_311c5a91-71d8-4dd9-a3a3-8e50cfbe90fe_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingEstimateTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingEstimateByTypeAxis_311c5a91-71d8-4dd9-a3a3-8e50cfbe90fe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingEstimateTypeDomain_311c5a91-71d8-4dd9-a3a3-8e50cfbe90fe_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingEstimateTypeDomain_81003c03-fdb3-4512-81f4-fe5a0a327dc8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingEstimateTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingEstimateByTypeAxis_311c5a91-71d8-4dd9-a3a3-8e50cfbe90fe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingEstimateTypeDomain_81003c03-fdb3-4512-81f4-fe5a0a327dc8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractsAccountedForUnderPercentageOfCompletionMember_563fcf76-1b82-412f-8b32-25ced64d8ddc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ContractsAccountedForUnderPercentageOfCompletionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingEstimateTypeDomain_81003c03-fdb3-4512-81f4-fe5a0a327dc8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractsAccountedForUnderPercentageOfCompletionMember_563fcf76-1b82-412f-8b32-25ced64d8ddc" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_4c53bb6f-8805-42f8-8253-577d706622c0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfChangeInAccountingEstimateTable_357b4c59-db83-4a8c-9db8-1f86ff6b39f9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_4c53bb6f-8805-42f8-8253-577d706622c0" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_4c53bb6f-8805-42f8-8253-577d706622c0_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_4c53bb6f-8805-42f8-8253-577d706622c0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_4c53bb6f-8805-42f8-8253-577d706622c0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_e01fd4be-787a-4068-aa47-c639c8427ba0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_4c53bb6f-8805-42f8-8253-577d706622c0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_e01fd4be-787a-4068-aa47-c639c8427ba0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_AeronauticsSystemsMember_531c1705-b84b-448a-9094-c10b3d2cae4e" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_AeronauticsSystemsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_e01fd4be-787a-4068-aa47-c639c8427ba0" xlink:to="loc_noc_AeronauticsSystemsMember_531c1705-b84b-448a-9094-c10b3d2cae4e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/EarningsPerShareShareRepurchasesandDividendsonCommonStockShareRepurchasesDetails1" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#EarningsPerShareShareRepurchasesandDividendsonCommonStockShareRepurchasesDetails1"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/EarningsPerShareShareRepurchasesandDividendsonCommonStockShareRepurchasesDetails1" xlink:type="extended" id="i2147f25dd86141328ed38b778c3c2ae0_EarningsPerShareShareRepurchasesandDividendsonCommonStockShareRepurchasesDetails1">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityClassOfTreasuryStockLineItems_f2b16850-897a-400b-80b9-045b6e1d8f4f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EquityClassOfTreasuryStockLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1_ef616570-4ec3-4b58-9963-9133df1752dd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityClassOfTreasuryStockLineItems_f2b16850-897a-400b-80b9-045b6e1d8f4f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1_ef616570-4ec3-4b58-9963-9133df1752dd" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesRetired_85933257-300d-4bb0-9618-19c64a4a2929" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesRetired"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityClassOfTreasuryStockLineItems_f2b16850-897a-400b-80b9-045b6e1d8f4f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesRetired_85933257-300d-4bb0-9618-19c64a4a2929" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockAcquiredAverageCostPerShare_d1fdee4a-6bab-4d1a-a9d5-eb3aa463bb5e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockAcquiredAverageCostPerShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityClassOfTreasuryStockLineItems_f2b16850-897a-400b-80b9-045b6e1d8f4f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockAcquiredAverageCostPerShare_d1fdee4a-6bab-4d1a-a9d5-eb3aa463bb5e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares_bbd16d23-92d9-43aa-a28e-f3cdc7d9eb74" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityClassOfTreasuryStockLineItems_f2b16850-897a-400b-80b9-045b6e1d8f4f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares_bbd16d23-92d9-43aa-a28e-f3cdc7d9eb74" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredParValueMethod_c3f5e4e1-759a-4bc7-a373-c34a761d1fa1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredParValueMethod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityClassOfTreasuryStockLineItems_f2b16850-897a-400b-80b9-045b6e1d8f4f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredParValueMethod_c3f5e4e1-759a-4bc7-a373-c34a761d1fa1" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1_7194260e-bf41-4176-a39f-091ca2042070" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityClassOfTreasuryStockLineItems_f2b16850-897a-400b-80b9-045b6e1d8f4f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1_7194260e-bf41-4176-a39f-091ca2042070" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingNumberOfSharesAuthorizedToBeRepurchased_c363cc62-5bec-47f1-b50f-181bd6b17114" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingNumberOfSharesAuthorizedToBeRepurchased"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityClassOfTreasuryStockLineItems_f2b16850-897a-400b-80b9-045b6e1d8f4f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingNumberOfSharesAuthorizedToBeRepurchased_c363cc62-5bec-47f1-b50f-181bd6b17114" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_AcceleratedShareRepurchaseSharePrice_6eafb07c-97a2-4515-aab7-592c94c51714" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_AcceleratedShareRepurchaseSharePrice"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityClassOfTreasuryStockLineItems_f2b16850-897a-400b-80b9-045b6e1d8f4f" xlink:to="loc_noc_AcceleratedShareRepurchaseSharePrice_6eafb07c-97a2-4515-aab7-592c94c51714" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_AcceleratedShareRepurchaseFinalDeliveryPossibleSettlementShares_3e12ae0a-8ab9-4cf2-af19-b839741a0978" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_AcceleratedShareRepurchaseFinalDeliveryPossibleSettlementShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityClassOfTreasuryStockLineItems_f2b16850-897a-400b-80b9-045b6e1d8f4f" xlink:to="loc_noc_AcceleratedShareRepurchaseFinalDeliveryPossibleSettlementShares_3e12ae0a-8ab9-4cf2-af19-b839741a0978" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfTreasuryStockTable_87263eb6-abe7-43c8-b888-f6e593da988f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfTreasuryStockTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityClassOfTreasuryStockLineItems_f2b16850-897a-400b-80b9-045b6e1d8f4f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfTreasuryStockTable_87263eb6-abe7-43c8-b888-f6e593da988f" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_3df643d5-539b-42b0-99eb-5c70f2768285" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfTreasuryStockTable_87263eb6-abe7-43c8-b888-f6e593da988f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_3df643d5-539b-42b0-99eb-5c70f2768285" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_3df643d5-539b-42b0-99eb-5c70f2768285_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_3df643d5-539b-42b0-99eb-5c70f2768285" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_3df643d5-539b-42b0-99eb-5c70f2768285_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_905ec214-2df7-4e71-b378-315e030fbc4e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_3df643d5-539b-42b0-99eb-5c70f2768285" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_905ec214-2df7-4e71-b378-315e030fbc4e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_September2015ShareRepurchaseOriginalAuthorizationMember_151bdef9-9283-40b8-8100-20e6af0943c6" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_September2015ShareRepurchaseOriginalAuthorizationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_905ec214-2df7-4e71-b378-315e030fbc4e" xlink:to="loc_noc_September2015ShareRepurchaseOriginalAuthorizationMember_151bdef9-9283-40b8-8100-20e6af0943c6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_December2018ShareRepurchaseOriginalAuthorizationMember_da542807-0370-4edf-962d-9b1ff7f4e111" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_December2018ShareRepurchaseOriginalAuthorizationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_905ec214-2df7-4e71-b378-315e030fbc4e" xlink:to="loc_noc_December2018ShareRepurchaseOriginalAuthorizationMember_da542807-0370-4edf-962d-9b1ff7f4e111" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_January2021ShareRepurchaseProgramMember_f388a724-efbd-4a04-b261-051c8e85119d" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_January2021ShareRepurchaseProgramMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_905ec214-2df7-4e71-b378-315e030fbc4e" xlink:to="loc_noc_January2021ShareRepurchaseProgramMember_f388a724-efbd-4a04-b261-051c8e85119d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_January2022ShareRepurchaseProgramMember_aacd5527-f735-4109-8128-4cc519c3f73c" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_January2022ShareRepurchaseProgramMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_905ec214-2df7-4e71-b378-315e030fbc4e" xlink:to="loc_noc_January2022ShareRepurchaseProgramMember_aacd5527-f735-4109-8128-4cc519c3f73c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_3829f75a-1bd0-432d-bbb4-a1d227f5c0db" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfTreasuryStockTable_87263eb6-abe7-43c8-b888-f6e593da988f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_3829f75a-1bd0-432d-bbb4-a1d227f5c0db" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_3829f75a-1bd0-432d-bbb4-a1d227f5c0db_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_3829f75a-1bd0-432d-bbb4-a1d227f5c0db" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_3829f75a-1bd0-432d-bbb4-a1d227f5c0db_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_1f9d5d89-d4d5-449c-9dee-c68a2d54b45c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_3829f75a-1bd0-432d-bbb4-a1d227f5c0db" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_1f9d5d89-d4d5-449c-9dee-c68a2d54b45c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_ce9728fc-ba44-4888-9ea9-9151231900cb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_1f9d5d89-d4d5-449c-9dee-c68a2d54b45c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_ce9728fc-ba44-4888-9ea9-9151231900cb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/AccountsReceivableNetDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#AccountsReceivableNetDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/AccountsReceivableNetDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ic21720311e6d43218777a800a271d99a_AccountsReceivableNetDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_6bd594d5-7123-4eb5-a888-355540d8d3eb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetAbstract_9866da8a-e486-4171-a8e3-438a11e7e344" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_6bd594d5-7123-4eb5-a888-355540d8d3eb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetAbstract_9866da8a-e486-4171-a8e3-438a11e7e344" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableGrossCurrent_ae8a1a6c-3fc9-4128-a348-abc50d545ce5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsReceivableGrossCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetAbstract_9866da8a-e486-4171-a8e3-438a11e7e344" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableGrossCurrent_ae8a1a6c-3fc9-4128-a348-abc50d545ce5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableCurrent_795a611e-104e-48e1-a14e-b211e13b8f57" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetAbstract_9866da8a-e486-4171-a8e3-438a11e7e344" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableCurrent_795a611e-104e-48e1-a14e-b211e13b8f57" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetCurrent_64161a69-904a-415e-9da0-92f9d4c45fe1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetAbstract_9866da8a-e486-4171-a8e3-438a11e7e344" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetCurrent_64161a69-904a-415e-9da0-92f9d4c45fe1" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable_3279980e-fc0e-4f13-8dd3-db5112b56690" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_6bd594d5-7123-4eb5-a888-355540d8d3eb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable_3279980e-fc0e-4f13-8dd3-db5112b56690" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivablesByLegalEntityOfCounterpartyTypeAxis_d4c4015e-1797-4418-a8dc-d2a516c12408" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivablesByLegalEntityOfCounterpartyTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable_3279980e-fc0e-4f13-8dd3-db5112b56690" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivablesByLegalEntityOfCounterpartyTypeAxis_d4c4015e-1797-4418-a8dc-d2a516c12408" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LegalEntityTypeOfCounterpartyDomain_d4c4015e-1797-4418-a8dc-d2a516c12408_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LegalEntityTypeOfCounterpartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivablesByLegalEntityOfCounterpartyTypeAxis_d4c4015e-1797-4418-a8dc-d2a516c12408" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LegalEntityTypeOfCounterpartyDomain_d4c4015e-1797-4418-a8dc-d2a516c12408_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LegalEntityTypeOfCounterpartyDomain_4a4fff99-5679-4d89-ad70-e29c2918aa4a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LegalEntityTypeOfCounterpartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivablesByLegalEntityOfCounterpartyTypeAxis_d4c4015e-1797-4418-a8dc-d2a516c12408" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LegalEntityTypeOfCounterpartyDomain_4a4fff99-5679-4d89-ad70-e29c2918aa4a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_USGovernmentMember_9b2f2ad8-ed91-4708-a15e-45fa8988e351" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_USGovernmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LegalEntityTypeOfCounterpartyDomain_4a4fff99-5679-4d89-ad70-e29c2918aa4a" xlink:to="loc_noc_USGovernmentMember_9b2f2ad8-ed91-4708-a15e-45fa8988e351" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_InternationalandOtherCustomersMember_b0569498-0611-49d7-b721-b794da68b4f7" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_InternationalandOtherCustomersMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LegalEntityTypeOfCounterpartyDomain_4a4fff99-5679-4d89-ad70-e29c2918aa4a" xlink:to="loc_noc_InternationalandOtherCustomersMember_b0569498-0611-49d7-b721-b794da68b4f7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/UnbilledReceivablesNetDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#UnbilledReceivablesNetDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/UnbilledReceivablesNetDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="id84398dc998f49db81abee250ddc4299_UnbilledReceivablesNetDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_6e70ef11-8406-4dee-9542-ee4eaf534bbe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnbilledContractsReceivable_2a900e76-b763-4f8e-8303-ca356b515dc3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_UnbilledContractsReceivable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_6e70ef11-8406-4dee-9542-ee4eaf534bbe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnbilledContractsReceivable_2a900e76-b763-4f8e-8303-ca356b515dc3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GovernmentContractReceivableProgessPaymentsOffset_43220324-6f71-462e-8bf9-fe6f91bfd846" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_GovernmentContractReceivableProgessPaymentsOffset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_6e70ef11-8406-4dee-9542-ee4eaf534bbe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GovernmentContractReceivableProgessPaymentsOffset_43220324-6f71-462e-8bf9-fe6f91bfd846" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_InternationalandOtherReceivableProgressPaymentsOffset_a99bb2c1-fe87-4b91-986e-9f383b128a85" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_InternationalandOtherReceivableProgressPaymentsOffset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_6e70ef11-8406-4dee-9542-ee4eaf534bbe" xlink:to="loc_noc_InternationalandOtherReceivableProgressPaymentsOffset_a99bb2c1-fe87-4b91-986e-9f383b128a85" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_UnbilledContractReceivablenetofprogressandperformancebasedpayments_f8fafcbd-5efd-4a19-ab0c-3a2a46f32c9e" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_UnbilledContractReceivablenetofprogressandperformancebasedpayments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_6e70ef11-8406-4dee-9542-ee4eaf534bbe" xlink:to="loc_noc_UnbilledContractReceivablenetofprogressandperformancebasedpayments_f8fafcbd-5efd-4a19-ab0c-3a2a46f32c9e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_AllowanceForExpectedCreditLossesUnbilledReceivables_e5752ab1-fa23-46e1-b23e-8ce8d6f84251" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_AllowanceForExpectedCreditLossesUnbilledReceivables"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_6e70ef11-8406-4dee-9542-ee4eaf534bbe" xlink:to="loc_noc_AllowanceForExpectedCreditLossesUnbilledReceivables_e5752ab1-fa23-46e1-b23e-8ce8d6f84251" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnbilledReceivablesCurrent_4290c294-7939-4542-86fb-346bcac80ad7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_UnbilledReceivablesCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_6e70ef11-8406-4dee-9542-ee4eaf534bbe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnbilledReceivablesCurrent_4290c294-7939-4542-86fb-346bcac80ad7" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable_54fc4c74-4ec7-462e-a49f-119295961e1c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_6e70ef11-8406-4dee-9542-ee4eaf534bbe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable_54fc4c74-4ec7-462e-a49f-119295961e1c" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivablesByLegalEntityOfCounterpartyTypeAxis_ba1dd62c-a34d-4722-8e51-e68079bfecd7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivablesByLegalEntityOfCounterpartyTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable_54fc4c74-4ec7-462e-a49f-119295961e1c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivablesByLegalEntityOfCounterpartyTypeAxis_ba1dd62c-a34d-4722-8e51-e68079bfecd7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LegalEntityTypeOfCounterpartyDomain_ba1dd62c-a34d-4722-8e51-e68079bfecd7_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LegalEntityTypeOfCounterpartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivablesByLegalEntityOfCounterpartyTypeAxis_ba1dd62c-a34d-4722-8e51-e68079bfecd7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LegalEntityTypeOfCounterpartyDomain_ba1dd62c-a34d-4722-8e51-e68079bfecd7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LegalEntityTypeOfCounterpartyDomain_e14ae343-2918-40f5-9141-5797ba003c42" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LegalEntityTypeOfCounterpartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivablesByLegalEntityOfCounterpartyTypeAxis_ba1dd62c-a34d-4722-8e51-e68079bfecd7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LegalEntityTypeOfCounterpartyDomain_e14ae343-2918-40f5-9141-5797ba003c42" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_USGovernmentMember_57fc5977-ca06-4fd8-bc69-1d269f7fe38b" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_USGovernmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LegalEntityTypeOfCounterpartyDomain_e14ae343-2918-40f5-9141-5797ba003c42" xlink:to="loc_noc_USGovernmentMember_57fc5977-ca06-4fd8-bc69-1d269f7fe38b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_InternationalandOtherCustomersMember_8911e493-c6b6-4011-abed-3510e9a361bd" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_InternationalandOtherCustomersMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LegalEntityTypeOfCounterpartyDomain_e14ae343-2918-40f5-9141-5797ba003c42" xlink:to="loc_noc_InternationalandOtherCustomersMember_8911e493-c6b6-4011-abed-3510e9a361bd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/InventoriedCostsNetDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#InventoriedCostsNetDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/InventoriedCostsNetDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ibd648ad3cdeb40e1bfbb60b93acc4c0f_InventoriedCostsNetDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InventoryLineItems_33f83542-48c0-420c-8545-3174bf1570bc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_InventoryLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InventoryWorkInProcessNetOfReserves_08f7b3d2-c59a-47e5-8756-f4c41d30aa4f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_InventoryWorkInProcessNetOfReserves"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InventoryLineItems_33f83542-48c0-420c-8545-3174bf1570bc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InventoryWorkInProcessNetOfReserves_08f7b3d2-c59a-47e5-8756-f4c41d30aa4f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InventoryRawMaterialsAndSuppliesNetOfReserves_d47604b4-f470-4742-b077-f06653ee182a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_InventoryRawMaterialsAndSuppliesNetOfReserves"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InventoryLineItems_33f83542-48c0-420c-8545-3174bf1570bc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InventoryRawMaterialsAndSuppliesNetOfReserves_d47604b4-f470-4742-b077-f06653ee182a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InventoryNet_747531b7-7161-42bf-ac59-35fe848bc378" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_InventoryNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InventoryLineItems_33f83542-48c0-420c-8545-3174bf1570bc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InventoryNet_747531b7-7161-42bf-ac59-35fe848bc378" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InventoryCurrentTable_e40a2530-182e-456c-826f-b68312676aba" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_InventoryCurrentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InventoryLineItems_33f83542-48c0-420c-8545-3174bf1570bc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InventoryCurrentTable_e40a2530-182e-456c-826f-b68312676aba" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryAxis_e798b3aa-fb02-4c39-8d31-491d584215fb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InventoryCurrentTable_e40a2530-182e-456c-826f-b68312676aba" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryAxis_e798b3aa-fb02-4c39-8d31-491d584215fb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryTypeDomain_e798b3aa-fb02-4c39-8d31-491d584215fb_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryAxis_e798b3aa-fb02-4c39-8d31-491d584215fb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryTypeDomain_e798b3aa-fb02-4c39-8d31-491d584215fb_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryTypeDomain_d9b4837d-381f-4184-9402-78cf0a2cd3d6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryAxis_e798b3aa-fb02-4c39-8d31-491d584215fb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryTypeDomain_d9b4837d-381f-4184-9402-78cf0a2cd3d6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/GoodwillandOtherPurchasedIntangibleAssetsGoodwillRollforwardDetails1" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#GoodwillandOtherPurchasedIntangibleAssetsGoodwillRollforwardDetails1"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/GoodwillandOtherPurchasedIntangibleAssetsGoodwillRollforwardDetails1" xlink:type="extended" id="i6506a740f58e410384851e82ad061530_GoodwillandOtherPurchasedIntangibleAssetsGoodwillRollforwardDetails1">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_1405bc08-54e1-4857-b922-d7f2b8110140" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward_7852ded5-fa8e-413b-bbcd-7634cffb9e11" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_1405bc08-54e1-4857-b922-d7f2b8110140" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward_7852ded5-fa8e-413b-bbcd-7634cffb9e11" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_9ab1f68f-780d-4c46-b5cf-2e9a266a87d4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_Goodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward_7852ded5-fa8e-413b-bbcd-7634cffb9e11" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_9ab1f68f-780d-4c46-b5cf-2e9a266a87d4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillPeriodIncreaseDecrease_d12780e7-190e-46c6-8529-5c75907555d0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillPeriodIncreaseDecrease"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward_7852ded5-fa8e-413b-bbcd-7634cffb9e11" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillPeriodIncreaseDecrease_d12780e7-190e-46c6-8529-5c75907555d0" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_90b1bf38-c40a-4c4e-8a12-ddf88a7a173d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_Goodwill"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable_ca4de373-762f-486c-9823-b0622288085a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_1405bc08-54e1-4857-b922-d7f2b8110140" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable_ca4de373-762f-486c-9823-b0622288085a" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_7684b3c7-0a50-4a07-90c3-f017136986ba" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable_ca4de373-762f-486c-9823-b0622288085a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_7684b3c7-0a50-4a07-90c3-f017136986ba" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_7684b3c7-0a50-4a07-90c3-f017136986ba_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_7684b3c7-0a50-4a07-90c3-f017136986ba" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_7684b3c7-0a50-4a07-90c3-f017136986ba_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_6c8612be-f31a-443f-b895-86dc119d7d0f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_7684b3c7-0a50-4a07-90c3-f017136986ba" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_6c8612be-f31a-443f-b895-86dc119d7d0f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_AeronauticsSystemsMember_f00c2ac5-4df0-4758-bc20-ca9366e858fc" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_AeronauticsSystemsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_6c8612be-f31a-443f-b895-86dc119d7d0f" xlink:to="loc_noc_AeronauticsSystemsMember_f00c2ac5-4df0-4758-bc20-ca9366e858fc" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_DefenseSystemsMember_97963661-c23c-4992-9720-ff2ac75ee8b7" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_DefenseSystemsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_6c8612be-f31a-443f-b895-86dc119d7d0f" xlink:to="loc_noc_DefenseSystemsMember_97963661-c23c-4992-9720-ff2ac75ee8b7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_MissionSystemsMember_339ac8eb-6564-4943-994a-97c2e1ab66b4" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_MissionSystemsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_6c8612be-f31a-443f-b895-86dc119d7d0f" xlink:to="loc_noc_MissionSystemsMember_339ac8eb-6564-4943-994a-97c2e1ab66b4" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_SpaceSystemsMember_d4fdb18c-562a-4963-8031-4f621e437c50" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_SpaceSystemsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_6c8612be-f31a-443f-b895-86dc119d7d0f" xlink:to="loc_noc_SpaceSystemsMember_d4fdb18c-562a-4963-8031-4f621e437c50" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/GoodwillandOtherPurchasedIntangibleAssetsOtherPurchasedIntangibleAssetsDetails2" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#GoodwillandOtherPurchasedIntangibleAssetsOtherPurchasedIntangibleAssetsDetails2"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/GoodwillandOtherPurchasedIntangibleAssetsOtherPurchasedIntangibleAssetsDetails2" xlink:type="extended" id="ieecdca7e3c4f4d3cbcf12984a3af85ec_GoodwillandOtherPurchasedIntangibleAssetsOtherPurchasedIntangibleAssetsDetails2">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_dce8abe3-90c6-4891-9fb3-b01612250bbe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetByMajorClassTable_d5eb5b32-817d-44c0-a6cf-2db45da1db1d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetByMajorClassTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_dce8abe3-90c6-4891-9fb3-b01612250bbe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetByMajorClassTable_d5eb5b32-817d-44c0-a6cf-2db45da1db1d" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_a9cfdb93-0d82-46d0-96e2-e43c510d5cb2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetByMajorClassTable_d5eb5b32-817d-44c0-a6cf-2db45da1db1d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_a9cfdb93-0d82-46d0-96e2-e43c510d5cb2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_a9cfdb93-0d82-46d0-96e2-e43c510d5cb2_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_a9cfdb93-0d82-46d0-96e2-e43c510d5cb2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_a9cfdb93-0d82-46d0-96e2-e43c510d5cb2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_97439ef3-13b0-4ec8-b8fb-0149ab209f71" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_a9cfdb93-0d82-46d0-96e2-e43c510d5cb2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_97439ef3-13b0-4ec8-b8fb-0149ab209f71" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/GoodwillandOtherPurchasedIntangibleAssetsAmountsinParagraphsGoodwillandOtherPurchasedIntangibleAssetsDetails4" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#GoodwillandOtherPurchasedIntangibleAssetsAmountsinParagraphsGoodwillandOtherPurchasedIntangibleAssetsDetails4"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/GoodwillandOtherPurchasedIntangibleAssetsAmountsinParagraphsGoodwillandOtherPurchasedIntangibleAssetsDetails4" xlink:type="extended" id="i18e9c9d9b980454ca9120b948c82c4b5_GoodwillandOtherPurchasedIntangibleAssetsAmountsinParagraphsGoodwillandOtherPurchasedIntangibleAssetsDetails4">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_a28526b1-ec31-41cf-8eac-6fc6a3c55901" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss_342d6d83-646f-4a80-81dd-80147a043a2a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_a28526b1-ec31-41cf-8eac-6fc6a3c55901" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss_342d6d83-646f-4a80-81dd-80147a043a2a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable_4208eee4-f566-4246-9d7a-57b812f9e3a6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_a28526b1-ec31-41cf-8eac-6fc6a3c55901" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable_4208eee4-f566-4246-9d7a-57b812f9e3a6" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_8436e004-7729-422d-945b-b303a64b4b7e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable_4208eee4-f566-4246-9d7a-57b812f9e3a6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_8436e004-7729-422d-945b-b303a64b4b7e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_8436e004-7729-422d-945b-b303a64b4b7e_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_8436e004-7729-422d-945b-b303a64b4b7e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_8436e004-7729-422d-945b-b303a64b4b7e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_10c5e688-4216-4a84-a099-e15a68624a34" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_8436e004-7729-422d-945b-b303a64b4b7e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_10c5e688-4216-4a84-a099-e15a68624a34" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_AeronauticsSystemsMember_34834cfe-9d4d-4bb1-92b7-70e80eb67c41" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_AeronauticsSystemsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_10c5e688-4216-4a84-a099-e15a68624a34" xlink:to="loc_noc_AeronauticsSystemsMember_34834cfe-9d4d-4bb1-92b7-70e80eb67c41" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_SpaceSystemsMember_074f4686-9b76-4dc1-a867-fbfdfb707af9" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_SpaceSystemsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_10c5e688-4216-4a84-a099-e15a68624a34" xlink:to="loc_noc_SpaceSystemsMember_074f4686-9b76-4dc1-a867-fbfdfb707af9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsDetails1" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsDetails1"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsDetails1" xlink:type="extended" id="icedaccfc56a24eac9a2f63d14a6d203c_FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsDetails1">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_6a0cb06f-828b-4e16-8ccf-b2886bb82c7f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MarketableSecurities_9f86f700-c3a4-4caa-a063-14e839fcd12a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_MarketableSecurities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_6a0cb06f-828b-4e16-8ccf-b2886bb82c7f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MarketableSecurities_9f86f700-c3a4-4caa-a063-14e839fcd12a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssetsLiabilitiesAtFairValueNet_d22d398b-1b41-4fed-9db0-c615b9fab3cf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeAssetsLiabilitiesAtFairValueNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_6a0cb06f-828b-4e16-8ccf-b2886bb82c7f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssetsLiabilitiesAtFairValueNet_d22d398b-1b41-4fed-9db0-c615b9fab3cf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_dc0384f2-390d-414e-b9c6-4e64ff484af5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_6a0cb06f-828b-4e16-8ccf-b2886bb82c7f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_dc0384f2-390d-414e-b9c6-4e64ff484af5" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_a2ee9f52-9525-4f2d-b7b5-45ba1974a290" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_dc0384f2-390d-414e-b9c6-4e64ff484af5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_a2ee9f52-9525-4f2d-b7b5-45ba1974a290" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_a2ee9f52-9525-4f2d-b7b5-45ba1974a290_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_a2ee9f52-9525-4f2d-b7b5-45ba1974a290" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_a2ee9f52-9525-4f2d-b7b5-45ba1974a290_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_e500f42a-e523-4c2e-9207-a27a46bb913e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_a2ee9f52-9525-4f2d-b7b5-45ba1974a290" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_e500f42a-e523-4c2e-9207-a27a46bb913e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_3ee0578c-9d2d-4dc8-90ab-c6205ef016b1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_e500f42a-e523-4c2e-9207-a27a46bb913e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_3ee0578c-9d2d-4dc8-90ab-c6205ef016b1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsNonrecurringMember_167e5ac2-c1dd-4062-8cff-aeda5bae0a21" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsNonrecurringMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_e500f42a-e523-4c2e-9207-a27a46bb913e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsNonrecurringMember_167e5ac2-c1dd-4062-8cff-aeda5bae0a21" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_613f45bb-dfba-4a7d-ba7f-9b912a31a454" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_dc0384f2-390d-414e-b9c6-4e64ff484af5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_613f45bb-dfba-4a7d-ba7f-9b912a31a454" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_613f45bb-dfba-4a7d-ba7f-9b912a31a454_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_613f45bb-dfba-4a7d-ba7f-9b912a31a454" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_613f45bb-dfba-4a7d-ba7f-9b912a31a454_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_ddab596a-7b9f-4a0a-a923-f166d8491817" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_613f45bb-dfba-4a7d-ba7f-9b912a31a454" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_ddab596a-7b9f-4a0a-a923-f166d8491817" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_4ac030e0-33bf-4b12-bec8-787068bd28a2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_ddab596a-7b9f-4a0a-a923-f166d8491817" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_4ac030e0-33bf-4b12-bec8-787068bd28a2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_43cbc13e-1083-4fa9-834f-74cda3cf0926" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_ddab596a-7b9f-4a0a-a923-f166d8491817" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_43cbc13e-1083-4fa9-834f-74cda3cf0926" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_f6e6ae2d-b24e-4ee2-a5ef-2bdd3ef88e6f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_ddab596a-7b9f-4a0a-a923-f166d8491817" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_f6e6ae2d-b24e-4ee2-a5ef-2bdd3ef88e6f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/DebtFixedrateNotesandOtherDetails1" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#DebtFixedrateNotesandOtherDetails1"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/DebtFixedrateNotesandOtherDetails1" xlink:type="extended" id="i764eca2d397c4448b257ac396bd01a7d_DebtFixedrateNotesandOtherDetails1">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_aa22490d-ba0e-4708-8c4f-1f4c2fdc4818" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentsAbstract_ef25b991-dcb6-400a-a77b-8a0507e088c8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_aa22490d-ba0e-4708-8c4f-1f4c2fdc4818" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentsAbstract_ef25b991-dcb6-400a-a77b-8a0507e088c8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_a274c599-4448-4ae8-99ff-56df2fe32958" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentsAbstract_ef25b991-dcb6-400a-a77b-8a0507e088c8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_a274c599-4448-4ae8-99ff-56df2fe32958" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_4026a617-702c-4c94-80b7-e714b6380a98" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentsAbstract_ef25b991-dcb6-400a-a77b-8a0507e088c8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_4026a617-702c-4c94-80b7-e714b6380a98" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebt_37b58364-a864-45aa-9e0a-37d86ca87db9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentsAbstract_ef25b991-dcb6-400a-a77b-8a0507e088c8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebt_37b58364-a864-45aa-9e0a-37d86ca87db9" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet_6a3c20ce-f822-410d-a57e-da61d101ccff" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentsAbstract_ef25b991-dcb6-400a-a77b-8a0507e088c8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet_6a3c20ce-f822-410d-a57e-da61d101ccff" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations_a12bf98b-ae69-48c2-95ae-9256f4f73801" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentsAbstract_ef25b991-dcb6-400a-a77b-8a0507e088c8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations_a12bf98b-ae69-48c2-95ae-9256f4f73801" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent_977a1c1a-0734-487a-bc31-9d7979aa2380" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentsAbstract_ef25b991-dcb6-400a-a77b-8a0507e088c8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent_977a1c1a-0734-487a-bc31-9d7979aa2380" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations_0a198f0c-5a2e-47e0-affd-fda1a41ce845" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentsAbstract_ef25b991-dcb6-400a-a77b-8a0507e088c8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations_0a198f0c-5a2e-47e0-affd-fda1a41ce845" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_5a1f4e8b-0f48-40d1-8f31-9c92ad6fd1c0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_aa22490d-ba0e-4708-8c4f-1f4c2fdc4818" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_5a1f4e8b-0f48-40d1-8f31-9c92ad6fd1c0" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_9b5c7291-ea37-4cfa-a152-a417de4880ef" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_5a1f4e8b-0f48-40d1-8f31-9c92ad6fd1c0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_9b5c7291-ea37-4cfa-a152-a417de4880ef" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_9b5c7291-ea37-4cfa-a152-a417de4880ef_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_9b5c7291-ea37-4cfa-a152-a417de4880ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_9b5c7291-ea37-4cfa-a152-a417de4880ef_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_0995dc00-5b4c-4900-9525-b13ffd2d7e97" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_9b5c7291-ea37-4cfa-a152-a417de4880ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_0995dc00-5b4c-4900-9525-b13ffd2d7e97" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_3db8c204-9b38-45b2-bb48-1227d481c8f2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_5a1f4e8b-0f48-40d1-8f31-9c92ad6fd1c0" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_3db8c204-9b38-45b2-bb48-1227d481c8f2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_3db8c204-9b38-45b2-bb48-1227d481c8f2_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_3db8c204-9b38-45b2-bb48-1227d481c8f2" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_3db8c204-9b38-45b2-bb48-1227d481c8f2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_11be3d2e-799b-42aa-98c4-f698f272113f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_3db8c204-9b38-45b2-bb48-1227d481c8f2" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_11be3d2e-799b-42aa-98c4-f698f272113f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_ce0c39cc-d07d-4d53-b601-76f995ea47ea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_11be3d2e-799b-42aa-98c4-f698f272113f" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_ce0c39cc-d07d-4d53-b601-76f995ea47ea" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_83454b92-77c3-4594-b9f1-f79d46febb9c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_11be3d2e-799b-42aa-98c4-f698f272113f" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_83454b92-77c3-4594-b9f1-f79d46febb9c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_159063cb-cb42-4913-8f94-af0ccb701b10" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_5a1f4e8b-0f48-40d1-8f31-9c92ad6fd1c0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_159063cb-cb42-4913-8f94-af0ccb701b10" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_159063cb-cb42-4913-8f94-af0ccb701b10_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_159063cb-cb42-4913-8f94-af0ccb701b10" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_159063cb-cb42-4913-8f94-af0ccb701b10_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_063202d6-7ce1-420b-8c11-29f545f1cc87" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_159063cb-cb42-4913-8f94-af0ccb701b10" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_063202d6-7ce1-420b-8c11-29f545f1cc87" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_TwoThousandTwentyThreeMember_149983ab-e794-4224-b4c1-7be17f078b3d" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_TwoThousandTwentyThreeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_063202d6-7ce1-420b-8c11-29f545f1cc87" xlink:to="loc_noc_TwoThousandTwentyThreeMember_149983ab-e794-4224-b4c1-7be17f078b3d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_TwoThousandTwentyFiveMember_9cafd214-e20a-4fa4-96cf-834ae08dcefe" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_TwoThousandTwentyFiveMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_063202d6-7ce1-420b-8c11-29f545f1cc87" xlink:to="loc_noc_TwoThousandTwentyFiveMember_9cafd214-e20a-4fa4-96cf-834ae08dcefe" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_TwoThousandTwentySixMember_c78642e8-bf7f-4a2c-9c9a-86169d30b7ac" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_TwoThousandTwentySixMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_063202d6-7ce1-420b-8c11-29f545f1cc87" xlink:to="loc_noc_TwoThousandTwentySixMember_c78642e8-bf7f-4a2c-9c9a-86169d30b7ac" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_TwoThousandTwentySevenMember_5e820d17-0734-44f1-a3c8-85c6343c4791" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_TwoThousandTwentySevenMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_063202d6-7ce1-420b-8c11-29f545f1cc87" xlink:to="loc_noc_TwoThousandTwentySevenMember_5e820d17-0734-44f1-a3c8-85c6343c4791" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_TwoThousandTwentyEightMember_1083e3ef-9b3a-4b3d-9784-9c7abe927ed2" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_TwoThousandTwentyEightMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_063202d6-7ce1-420b-8c11-29f545f1cc87" xlink:to="loc_noc_TwoThousandTwentyEightMember_1083e3ef-9b3a-4b3d-9784-9c7abe927ed2" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_TwoThousandThirtyMember_5059ad06-2d33-49f8-ae2d-b151bdf9077b" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_TwoThousandThirtyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_063202d6-7ce1-420b-8c11-29f545f1cc87" xlink:to="loc_noc_TwoThousandThirtyMember_5059ad06-2d33-49f8-ae2d-b151bdf9077b" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_TwoThousandThirtyOneMember_2c2496d1-4448-41ce-8ec9-9f844a3d6af1" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_TwoThousandThirtyOneMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_063202d6-7ce1-420b-8c11-29f545f1cc87" xlink:to="loc_noc_TwoThousandThirtyOneMember_2c2496d1-4448-41ce-8ec9-9f844a3d6af1" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_TwoThousandFortyMember_6df45cf4-38b3-4292-a617-8074437170e8" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_TwoThousandFortyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_063202d6-7ce1-420b-8c11-29f545f1cc87" xlink:to="loc_noc_TwoThousandFortyMember_6df45cf4-38b3-4292-a617-8074437170e8" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_TwoThousandFortyThreeMember_5d5034e7-48b6-4b49-848d-10300bcb6454" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_TwoThousandFortyThreeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_063202d6-7ce1-420b-8c11-29f545f1cc87" xlink:to="loc_noc_TwoThousandFortyThreeMember_5d5034e7-48b6-4b49-848d-10300bcb6454" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_TwoThousandFortyFiveMember_7aff4350-5020-4b90-a4ae-89badbf7c589" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_TwoThousandFortyFiveMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_063202d6-7ce1-420b-8c11-29f545f1cc87" xlink:to="loc_noc_TwoThousandFortyFiveMember_7aff4350-5020-4b90-a4ae-89badbf7c589" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_TwoThousandFortySevenMember_7ea802a3-1f82-437a-a527-e25ba6cc961e" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_TwoThousandFortySevenMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_063202d6-7ce1-420b-8c11-29f545f1cc87" xlink:to="loc_noc_TwoThousandFortySevenMember_7ea802a3-1f82-437a-a527-e25ba6cc961e" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_TwoThousandFiftyMember_cbb4f84d-2ed6-4089-b8a1-f5cbbdfe0bf5" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_TwoThousandFiftyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_063202d6-7ce1-420b-8c11-29f545f1cc87" xlink:to="loc_noc_TwoThousandFiftyMember_cbb4f84d-2ed6-4089-b8a1-f5cbbdfe0bf5" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/AmountsinParagraphsDebtDetails3" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#AmountsinParagraphsDebtDetails3"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/AmountsinParagraphsDebtDetails3" xlink:type="extended" id="i0b593ef653d8468cb016da3d09e50f12_AmountsinParagraphsDebtDetails3">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_2a2a499f-f825-41e6-9e37-6e8da3aa33f3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_CommercialPaperMaximumBorrowingCapacity_5d8e200f-4179-4644-ad6e-0bc08a90dc3a" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_CommercialPaperMaximumBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_2a2a499f-f825-41e6-9e37-6e8da3aa33f3" xlink:to="loc_noc_CommercialPaperMaximumBorrowingCapacity_5d8e200f-4179-4644-ad6e-0bc08a90dc3a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermBorrowings_0eb0283b-88c7-418b-9129-5b9ebffd3e13" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermBorrowings"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_2a2a499f-f825-41e6-9e37-6e8da3aa33f3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermBorrowings_0eb0283b-88c7-418b-9129-5b9ebffd3e13" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_71b34192-274d-4f31-94f7-8239d95e314d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_2a2a499f-f825-41e6-9e37-6e8da3aa33f3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_71b34192-274d-4f31-94f7-8239d95e314d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_dbb7465e-f11b-4ff1-9cd6-747433cb86f0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCredit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_2a2a499f-f825-41e6-9e37-6e8da3aa33f3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_dbb7465e-f11b-4ff1-9cd6-747433cb86f0" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantTerms_841a1f67-75c9-4f94-927e-0f06dfd71532" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantTerms"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_2a2a499f-f825-41e6-9e37-6e8da3aa33f3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantTerms_841a1f67-75c9-4f94-927e-0f06dfd71532" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantCompliance_5b0a98a1-7bc3-4596-806e-70d72fa9ac49" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantCompliance"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_2a2a499f-f825-41e6-9e37-6e8da3aa33f3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantCompliance_5b0a98a1-7bc3-4596-806e-70d72fa9ac49" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue_b1000846-75ed-4520-9f25-996eedc6aae6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_2a2a499f-f825-41e6-9e37-6e8da3aa33f3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue_b1000846-75ed-4520-9f25-996eedc6aae6" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_InterestPaidNetOfInterestReceived_f0f6e159-6a6c-4aef-8edc-47a5bf840612" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_InterestPaidNetOfInterestReceived"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_2a2a499f-f825-41e6-9e37-6e8da3aa33f3" xlink:to="loc_noc_InterestPaidNetOfInterestReceived_f0f6e159-6a6c-4aef-8edc-47a5bf840612" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_A2021NoteFaceAmount_36d657ec-2239-4bbc-a986-2ec447087e25" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_A2021NoteFaceAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_2a2a499f-f825-41e6-9e37-6e8da3aa33f3" xlink:to="loc_noc_A2021NoteFaceAmount_36d657ec-2239-4bbc-a986-2ec447087e25" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_A2021NoteInterestRateStatedPercentage_8e59bb1f-66e3-4606-9ced-73256a20fb60" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_A2021NoteInterestRateStatedPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_2a2a499f-f825-41e6-9e37-6e8da3aa33f3" xlink:to="loc_noc_A2021NoteInterestRateStatedPercentage_8e59bb1f-66e3-4606-9ced-73256a20fb60" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_A2022NoteFaceAmount_56b4a871-55ed-4cbb-b54c-9e7f09512000" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_A2022NoteFaceAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_2a2a499f-f825-41e6-9e37-6e8da3aa33f3" xlink:to="loc_noc_A2022NoteFaceAmount_56b4a871-55ed-4cbb-b54c-9e7f09512000" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_A2022NoteInterestRateStatedPercentage_39e88613-7ad1-4318-bec3-fd40ad573bdd" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_A2022NoteInterestRateStatedPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_2a2a499f-f825-41e6-9e37-6e8da3aa33f3" xlink:to="loc_noc_A2022NoteInterestRateStatedPercentage_39e88613-7ad1-4318-bec3-fd40ad573bdd" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RedemptionPremium_e06e9770-799c-4ab2-960a-1d85cf3b41d1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RedemptionPremium"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_2a2a499f-f825-41e6-9e37-6e8da3aa33f3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RedemptionPremium_e06e9770-799c-4ab2-960a-1d85cf3b41d1" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_PrincipalAmountNGSCNotes_0ab150be-d87a-4fbc-8f79-c6ee2fe5ec16" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_PrincipalAmountNGSCNotes"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_2a2a499f-f825-41e6-9e37-6e8da3aa33f3" xlink:to="loc_noc_PrincipalAmountNGSCNotes_0ab150be-d87a-4fbc-8f79-c6ee2fe5ec16" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_PrincipalAmountNorthropGrummanCorporationNotes_cbd80c05-0a8f-4ed6-84d8-ffe88e0662b7" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_PrincipalAmountNorthropGrummanCorporationNotes"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_2a2a499f-f825-41e6-9e37-6e8da3aa33f3" xlink:to="loc_noc_PrincipalAmountNorthropGrummanCorporationNotes_cbd80c05-0a8f-4ed6-84d8-ffe88e0662b7" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_PrincipalAmountNorthropGrummanCorporationNotesUnregisteredNotes_b1981fe0-9681-413b-8f96-5b0673f188a6" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_PrincipalAmountNorthropGrummanCorporationNotesUnregisteredNotes"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_2a2a499f-f825-41e6-9e37-6e8da3aa33f3" xlink:to="loc_noc_PrincipalAmountNorthropGrummanCorporationNotesUnregisteredNotes_b1981fe0-9681-413b-8f96-5b0673f188a6" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_PrincipalAmountNorthropGrummanCorporationNotesRegisteredNotes_819d05e8-5a9b-407b-8f87-56b054265389" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_PrincipalAmountNorthropGrummanCorporationNotesRegisteredNotes"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_2a2a499f-f825-41e6-9e37-6e8da3aa33f3" xlink:to="loc_noc_PrincipalAmountNorthropGrummanCorporationNotesRegisteredNotes_819d05e8-5a9b-407b-8f87-56b054265389" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommercialPaper_81fa7192-8ca7-4f23-a2eb-c3da4ba9f6f0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CommercialPaper"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_2a2a499f-f825-41e6-9e37-6e8da3aa33f3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommercialPaper_81fa7192-8ca7-4f23-a2eb-c3da4ba9f6f0" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_b77e12f5-ec14-4a4e-b386-45115fcf5a8a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_2a2a499f-f825-41e6-9e37-6e8da3aa33f3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_b77e12f5-ec14-4a4e-b386-45115fcf5a8a" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_d9d509ca-1810-4b86-a963-248386aaeedb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_b77e12f5-ec14-4a4e-b386-45115fcf5a8a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_d9d509ca-1810-4b86-a963-248386aaeedb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_d9d509ca-1810-4b86-a963-248386aaeedb_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_d9d509ca-1810-4b86-a963-248386aaeedb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_d9d509ca-1810-4b86-a963-248386aaeedb_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_74c1eebb-3ad8-41ce-80e5-edc01ceffd78" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_d9d509ca-1810-4b86-a963-248386aaeedb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_74c1eebb-3ad8-41ce-80e5-edc01ceffd78" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis_ab34416f-783f-4d5f-b955-e8083aca2140" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_b77e12f5-ec14-4a4e-b386-45115fcf5a8a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis_ab34416f-783f-4d5f-b955-e8083aca2140" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_ab34416f-783f-4d5f-b955-e8083aca2140_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis_ab34416f-783f-4d5f-b955-e8083aca2140" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_ab34416f-783f-4d5f-b955-e8083aca2140_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_236172b1-86d5-468d-9fba-aed07c4e5e39" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis_ab34416f-783f-4d5f-b955-e8083aca2140" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_236172b1-86d5-468d-9fba-aed07c4e5e39" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommercialPaperMember_1be6e35a-9165-451e-b9f6-63b719e66f70" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CommercialPaperMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_236172b1-86d5-468d-9fba-aed07c4e5e39" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommercialPaperMember_1be6e35a-9165-451e-b9f6-63b719e66f70" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_b9002286-7caf-4b6f-b6ce-f3ea7c141057" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_b77e12f5-ec14-4a4e-b386-45115fcf5a8a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_b9002286-7caf-4b6f-b6ce-f3ea7c141057" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_b9002286-7caf-4b6f-b6ce-f3ea7c141057_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_b9002286-7caf-4b6f-b6ce-f3ea7c141057" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_b9002286-7caf-4b6f-b6ce-f3ea7c141057_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_3b73bb27-630b-4e0a-aebb-fd7e7f0071b0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_b9002286-7caf-4b6f-b6ce-f3ea7c141057" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_3b73bb27-630b-4e0a-aebb-fd7e7f0071b0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_380520d2-eaa5-4725-b25f-6aa229cbbbf9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_3b73bb27-630b-4e0a-aebb-fd7e7f0071b0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_380520d2-eaa5-4725-b25f-6aa229cbbbf9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_6f76838f-b093-4365-ba65-3bdcbd1123db" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_b77e12f5-ec14-4a4e-b386-45115fcf5a8a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_6f76838f-b093-4365-ba65-3bdcbd1123db" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_6f76838f-b093-4365-ba65-3bdcbd1123db_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_6f76838f-b093-4365-ba65-3bdcbd1123db" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_6f76838f-b093-4365-ba65-3bdcbd1123db_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_ebd7f473-850d-4600-9997-58fad25de131" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_6f76838f-b093-4365-ba65-3bdcbd1123db" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_ebd7f473-850d-4600-9997-58fad25de131" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_FiveYearTermMemberDomain_bfbfc6a3-3155-446a-bec2-d5b89046ca32" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_FiveYearTermMemberDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_ebd7f473-850d-4600-9997-58fad25de131" xlink:to="loc_noc_FiveYearTermMemberDomain_bfbfc6a3-3155-446a-bec2-d5b89046ca32" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/InvestigationsClaimsandLitigationInvestigationsClaimsandLitigationDetails1" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#InvestigationsClaimsandLitigationInvestigationsClaimsandLitigationDetails1"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/InvestigationsClaimsandLitigationInvestigationsClaimsandLitigationDetails1" xlink:type="extended" id="i4e9b72a785804b63a2b7f09f06295ade_InvestigationsClaimsandLitigationInvestigationsClaimsandLitigationDetails1">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_c86826fb-aaaa-4f8d-85d1-08b07ae10acb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_ContractAward_551eb394-30c2-4520-b963-e61acb1dde94" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_ContractAward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_c86826fb-aaaa-4f8d-85d1-08b07ae10acb" xlink:to="loc_noc_ContractAward_551eb394-30c2-4520-b963-e61acb1dde94" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReceivablesLongTermContractsOrPrograms_cd1d97b6-7f72-4bdb-b27a-26e318095cf5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ReceivablesLongTermContractsOrPrograms"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_c86826fb-aaaa-4f8d-85d1-08b07ae10acb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReceivablesLongTermContractsOrPrograms_cd1d97b6-7f72-4bdb-b27a-26e318095cf5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainContingencyUnrecordedAmount_113cac6a-6dd5-41a8-a8d6-242cc59d1cd7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_GainContingencyUnrecordedAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_c86826fb-aaaa-4f8d-85d1-08b07ae10acb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainContingencyUnrecordedAmount_113cac6a-6dd5-41a8-a8d6-242cc59d1cd7" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyEstimateOfPossibleLoss_7011c748-14dc-4278-8993-9cfe1c5265be" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingencyEstimateOfPossibleLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_c86826fb-aaaa-4f8d-85d1-08b07ae10acb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyEstimateOfPossibleLoss_7011c748-14dc-4278-8993-9cfe1c5265be" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyNumberOfDefendants_762a6b19-0f6b-40b9-a79f-8ddb9c3bf9d0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingencyNumberOfDefendants"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_c86826fb-aaaa-4f8d-85d1-08b07ae10acb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyNumberOfDefendants_762a6b19-0f6b-40b9-a79f-8ddb9c3bf9d0" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesSoughtValue_7d0b3af1-dc56-4f72-a70f-ae205cc8f249" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesSoughtValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_c86826fb-aaaa-4f8d-85d1-08b07ae10acb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesSoughtValue_7d0b3af1-dc56-4f72-a70f-ae205cc8f249" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_CounterclaimForDamagesSought_b7d19ea5-44de-4fc7-8fb4-f534b480c855" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_CounterclaimForDamagesSought"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_c86826fb-aaaa-4f8d-85d1-08b07ae10acb" xlink:to="loc_noc_CounterclaimForDamagesSought_b7d19ea5-44de-4fc7-8fb4-f534b480c855" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_OffSettingDamages_3451e1ff-7f03-4b81-8ee1-97e253cdcf9a" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_OffSettingDamages"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_c86826fb-aaaa-4f8d-85d1-08b07ae10acb" xlink:to="loc_noc_OffSettingDamages_3451e1ff-7f03-4b81-8ee1-97e253cdcf9a" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_Counterclaim_4502c131-812e-4593-8f58-81ebf88a443b" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_Counterclaim"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_c86826fb-aaaa-4f8d-85d1-08b07ae10acb" xlink:to="loc_noc_Counterclaim_4502c131-812e-4593-8f58-81ebf88a443b" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesAwardedValue_51e7368d-377b-4165-a6fe-921ea069e13b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesAwardedValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_c86826fb-aaaa-4f8d-85d1-08b07ae10acb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesAwardedValue_51e7368d-377b-4165-a6fe-921ea069e13b" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_UnbilledReceivablesCourtAwarded_feb21beb-7ad5-40d0-870a-fc922c9dc313" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_UnbilledReceivablesCourtAwarded"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_c86826fb-aaaa-4f8d-85d1-08b07ae10acb" xlink:to="loc_noc_UnbilledReceivablesCourtAwarded_feb21beb-7ad5-40d0-870a-fc922c9dc313" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FormerGainContingencyRecognizedInCurrentPeriod_e5e0f053-366c-4d3e-a577-b0bba6b2d5c8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FormerGainContingencyRecognizedInCurrentPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_c86826fb-aaaa-4f8d-85d1-08b07ae10acb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FormerGainContingencyRecognizedInCurrentPeriod_e5e0f053-366c-4d3e-a577-b0bba6b2d5c8" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable_7099ad43-6a27-4295-979b-fd7f4a7295bf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_c86826fb-aaaa-4f8d-85d1-08b07ae10acb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable_7099ad43-6a27-4295-979b-fd7f4a7295bf" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_e75a5d4f-56e8-4d06-9d3f-7931a7730ea2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable_7099ad43-6a27-4295-979b-fd7f4a7295bf" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_e75a5d4f-56e8-4d06-9d3f-7931a7730ea2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_e75a5d4f-56e8-4d06-9d3f-7931a7730ea2_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_e75a5d4f-56e8-4d06-9d3f-7931a7730ea2" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_e75a5d4f-56e8-4d06-9d3f-7931a7730ea2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_60046638-7069-47d5-92af-e2de129059b1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_e75a5d4f-56e8-4d06-9d3f-7931a7730ea2" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_60046638-7069-47d5-92af-e2de129059b1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_8742ec66-0a9c-4a94-a2ac-1d1d25bbea12" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_60046638-7069-47d5-92af-e2de129059b1" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_8742ec66-0a9c-4a94-a2ac-1d1d25bbea12" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_ClaimAmountAxis_fbbe63bf-5a3b-43cf-80de-301149c0a38c" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_ClaimAmountAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable_7099ad43-6a27-4295-979b-fd7f4a7295bf" xlink:to="loc_noc_ClaimAmountAxis_fbbe63bf-5a3b-43cf-80de-301149c0a38c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_ClaimAmountDomain_fbbe63bf-5a3b-43cf-80de-301149c0a38c_default" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_ClaimAmountDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_noc_ClaimAmountAxis_fbbe63bf-5a3b-43cf-80de-301149c0a38c" xlink:to="loc_noc_ClaimAmountDomain_fbbe63bf-5a3b-43cf-80de-301149c0a38c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_ClaimAmountDomain_6c4d13bb-7756-4d16-b845-a3336674afce" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_ClaimAmountDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_noc_ClaimAmountAxis_fbbe63bf-5a3b-43cf-80de-301149c0a38c" xlink:to="loc_noc_ClaimAmountDomain_6c4d13bb-7756-4d16-b845-a3336674afce" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_InitialClaimMember_245aead4-62bf-47ee-8ca4-770aad1cef5f" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_InitialClaimMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_noc_ClaimAmountDomain_6c4d13bb-7756-4d16-b845-a3336674afce" xlink:to="loc_noc_InitialClaimMember_245aead4-62bf-47ee-8ca4-770aad1cef5f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_IncrementalclaimMember_b1c7b6dd-27cd-45fe-b80a-3f147d47de1e" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_IncrementalclaimMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_noc_ClaimAmountDomain_6c4d13bb-7756-4d16-b845-a3336674afce" xlink:to="loc_noc_IncrementalclaimMember_b1c7b6dd-27cd-45fe-b80a-3f147d47de1e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis_2f86a16a-f4db-4bde-acb8-16791de44060" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable_7099ad43-6a27-4295-979b-fd7f4a7295bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis_2f86a16a-f4db-4bde-acb8-16791de44060" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain_2f86a16a-f4db-4bde-acb8-16791de44060_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis_2f86a16a-f4db-4bde-acb8-16791de44060" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain_2f86a16a-f4db-4bde-acb8-16791de44060_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain_aa4a7db1-4283-4109-8de7-5cddeff55b1b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis_2f86a16a-f4db-4bde-acb8-16791de44060" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain_aa4a7db1-4283-4109-8de7-5cddeff55b1b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_UnitedStatesPostalServiceMember_8f735ed6-15b2-4da8-a968-3f834bfe57da" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_UnitedStatesPostalServiceMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain_aa4a7db1-4283-4109-8de7-5cddeff55b1b" xlink:to="loc_noc_UnitedStatesPostalServiceMember_8f735ed6-15b2-4da8-a968-3f834bfe57da" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainContingenciesByNatureAxis_0a5885b4-048d-46c3-87e3-55f170153360" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_GainContingenciesByNatureAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable_7099ad43-6a27-4295-979b-fd7f4a7295bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainContingenciesByNatureAxis_0a5885b4-048d-46c3-87e3-55f170153360" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainContingencyNatureDomain_0a5885b4-048d-46c3-87e3-55f170153360_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_GainContingencyNatureDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GainContingenciesByNatureAxis_0a5885b4-048d-46c3-87e3-55f170153360" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainContingencyNatureDomain_0a5885b4-048d-46c3-87e3-55f170153360_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainContingencyNatureDomain_1a5034f1-c295-4613-8080-62671308fdde" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_GainContingencyNatureDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GainContingenciesByNatureAxis_0a5885b4-048d-46c3-87e3-55f170153360" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainContingencyNatureDomain_1a5034f1-c295-4613-8080-62671308fdde" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_UnpaidPortionsOfContractPriceAndDirectCostsIncurredMember_75f7446b-bf04-459c-8971-644fcb8bcb05" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_UnpaidPortionsOfContractPriceAndDirectCostsIncurredMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GainContingencyNatureDomain_1a5034f1-c295-4613-8080-62671308fdde" xlink:to="loc_noc_UnpaidPortionsOfContractPriceAndDirectCostsIncurredMember_75f7446b-bf04-459c-8971-644fcb8bcb05" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_ActsAndOmissionsWithAdverseAffectsOnPerformanceAndObligationsMember_20e4ab88-a7dd-4965-a0dd-9ff5c36c4b77" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_ActsAndOmissionsWithAdverseAffectsOnPerformanceAndObligationsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GainContingencyNatureDomain_1a5034f1-c295-4613-8080-62671308fdde" xlink:to="loc_noc_ActsAndOmissionsWithAdverseAffectsOnPerformanceAndObligationsMember_20e4ab88-a7dd-4965-a0dd-9ff5c36c4b77" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_PositiveOutcomeOfLitigationDamagesMember_a131bc0a-0282-407b-999f-b572da2b237b" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_PositiveOutcomeOfLitigationDamagesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GainContingencyNatureDomain_1a5034f1-c295-4613-8080-62671308fdde" xlink:to="loc_noc_PositiveOutcomeOfLitigationDamagesMember_a131bc0a-0282-407b-999f-b572da2b237b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_PositiveOutcomeOfLitigationInterestMember_45e505d3-9db6-4935-b90c-432efe0ae34d" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_PositiveOutcomeOfLitigationInterestMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GainContingencyNatureDomain_1a5034f1-c295-4613-8080-62671308fdde" xlink:to="loc_noc_PositiveOutcomeOfLitigationInterestMember_45e505d3-9db6-4935-b90c-432efe0ae34d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_LitigationCaseAxis_9783b86d-7f2d-4a98-96e6-93839734f7c7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_LitigationCaseAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable_7099ad43-6a27-4295-979b-fd7f4a7295bf" xlink:to="loc_srt_LitigationCaseAxis_9783b86d-7f2d-4a98-96e6-93839734f7c7" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain_9783b86d-7f2d-4a98-96e6-93839734f7c7_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_LitigationCaseAxis_9783b86d-7f2d-4a98-96e6-93839734f7c7" xlink:to="loc_srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain_9783b86d-7f2d-4a98-96e6-93839734f7c7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain_b31c726f-8d83-420a-8b3b-c9632225d92c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_LitigationCaseAxis_9783b86d-7f2d-4a98-96e6-93839734f7c7" xlink:to="loc_srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain_b31c726f-8d83-420a-8b3b-c9632225d92c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_UnitedStatesPostalServiceMember_9c54d49f-18cf-4e72-b63d-a06f02beebfc" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_UnitedStatesPostalServiceMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain_b31c726f-8d83-420a-8b3b-c9632225d92c" xlink:to="loc_noc_UnitedStatesPostalServiceMember_9c54d49f-18cf-4e72-b63d-a06f02beebfc" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_FalseClaimsActMember_4d9f588d-72a0-447b-8e3c-17cab999fdf0" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_FalseClaimsActMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain_b31c726f-8d83-420a-8b3b-c9632225d92c" xlink:to="loc_noc_FalseClaimsActMember_4d9f588d-72a0-447b-8e3c-17cab999fdf0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LitigationStatusAxis_9aec043f-dd55-49c5-8ffd-ce2d9b7e922f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LitigationStatusAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable_7099ad43-6a27-4295-979b-fd7f4a7295bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LitigationStatusAxis_9aec043f-dd55-49c5-8ffd-ce2d9b7e922f" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LitigationStatusDomain_9aec043f-dd55-49c5-8ffd-ce2d9b7e922f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LitigationStatusDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LitigationStatusAxis_9aec043f-dd55-49c5-8ffd-ce2d9b7e922f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LitigationStatusDomain_9aec043f-dd55-49c5-8ffd-ce2d9b7e922f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LitigationStatusDomain_09f1cd16-1f8c-440a-8ac8-0f5aba461bf3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LitigationStatusDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LitigationStatusAxis_9aec043f-dd55-49c5-8ffd-ce2d9b7e922f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LitigationStatusDomain_09f1cd16-1f8c-440a-8ac8-0f5aba461bf3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ThreatenedLitigationMember_8586dbf5-97f9-48b5-9807-f48222c745c9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ThreatenedLitigationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LitigationStatusDomain_09f1cd16-1f8c-440a-8ac8-0f5aba461bf3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ThreatenedLitigationMember_8586dbf5-97f9-48b5-9807-f48222c745c9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesDetails1" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#CommitmentsandContingenciesDetails1"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesDetails1" xlink:type="extended" id="ifbd5351dd4fb451b94d9d954e45dff9d_CommitmentsandContingenciesDetails1">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_684b7059-695d-4566-b60d-369994c18ff8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyAbstract_2a7792a2-35cd-4f4f-a9ce-454a126fd328" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingencyAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_684b7059-695d-4566-b60d-369994c18ff8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyAbstract_2a7792a2-35cd-4f4f-a9ce-454a126fd328" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingencies_c7dc016d-9afa-4cbc-848c-9af398ba887a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingencies"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyAbstract_2a7792a2-35cd-4f4f-a9ce-454a126fd328" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingencies_c7dc016d-9afa-4cbc-848c-9af398ba887a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyRangeOfPossibleLossPortionNotAccrued_691b548e-8dfa-4f0e-874c-0197146eb368" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingencyRangeOfPossibleLossPortionNotAccrued"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyAbstract_2a7792a2-35cd-4f4f-a9ce-454a126fd328" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyRangeOfPossibleLossPortionNotAccrued_691b548e-8dfa-4f0e-874c-0197146eb368" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RecordedThirdPartyEnvironmentalRecoveriesAmount_f4db379a-6914-4fdd-9791-d30096442d12" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RecordedThirdPartyEnvironmentalRecoveriesAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyAbstract_2a7792a2-35cd-4f4f-a9ce-454a126fd328" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RecordedThirdPartyEnvironmentalRecoveriesAmount_f4db379a-6914-4fdd-9791-d30096442d12" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyEstimateOfPossibleLoss_7b217f3a-b1d2-4f8b-be70-716b42a37d19" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingencyEstimateOfPossibleLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_684b7059-695d-4566-b60d-369994c18ff8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyEstimateOfPossibleLoss_7b217f3a-b1d2-4f8b-be70-716b42a37d19" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable_d5774bba-33e1-49a7-b6ce-cf4eef8a46a4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_684b7059-695d-4566-b60d-369994c18ff8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable_d5774bba-33e1-49a7-b6ce-cf4eef8a46a4" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_7af18d00-1ef7-4c44-9155-639c8c0d610c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable_d5774bba-33e1-49a7-b6ce-cf4eef8a46a4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_7af18d00-1ef7-4c44-9155-639c8c0d610c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_7af18d00-1ef7-4c44-9155-639c8c0d610c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_7af18d00-1ef7-4c44-9155-639c8c0d610c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_7af18d00-1ef7-4c44-9155-639c8c0d610c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_6b407a89-2f78-4b25-a198-da1e27d79dd2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_7af18d00-1ef7-4c44-9155-639c8c0d610c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_6b407a89-2f78-4b25-a198-da1e27d79dd2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherCurrentLiabilitiesMember_c7fe7f34-adb6-4571-9cf7-46cfcd395ed2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherCurrentLiabilitiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_6b407a89-2f78-4b25-a198-da1e27d79dd2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherCurrentLiabilitiesMember_c7fe7f34-adb6-4571-9cf7-46cfcd395ed2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesMember_a8e928d9-fc6c-498b-ab83-7e8b92214a98" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_6b407a89-2f78-4b25-a198-da1e27d79dd2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesMember_a8e928d9-fc6c-498b-ab83-7e8b92214a98" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PrepaidExpensesAndOtherCurrentAssetsMember_d1380133-a0d2-47df-9d6b-30c9a9ea5e9b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PrepaidExpensesAndOtherCurrentAssetsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_6b407a89-2f78-4b25-a198-da1e27d79dd2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PrepaidExpensesAndOtherCurrentAssetsMember_d1380133-a0d2-47df-9d6b-30c9a9ea5e9b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentAssetsMember_8c3aa10b-8a80-45a4-b84b-558f57b6dc70" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentAssetsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_6b407a89-2f78-4b25-a198-da1e27d79dd2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentAssetsMember_8c3aa10b-8a80-45a4-b84b-558f57b6dc70" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis_f69f86b1-0090-4203-aa0d-4dcd7077d0dd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable_d5774bba-33e1-49a7-b6ce-cf4eef8a46a4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis_f69f86b1-0090-4203-aa0d-4dcd7077d0dd" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain_f69f86b1-0090-4203-aa0d-4dcd7077d0dd_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis_f69f86b1-0090-4203-aa0d-4dcd7077d0dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain_f69f86b1-0090-4203-aa0d-4dcd7077d0dd_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain_96aff778-ed86-485b-8597-2468656c178a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis_f69f86b1-0090-4203-aa0d-4dcd7077d0dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain_96aff778-ed86-485b-8597-2468656c178a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_MaximumLossContingencyMember_212c5917-141f-4a93-b269-74c98cff9c6b" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_MaximumLossContingencyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain_96aff778-ed86-485b-8597-2468656c178a" xlink:to="loc_noc_MaximumLossContingencyMember_212c5917-141f-4a93-b269-74c98cff9c6b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_MinimumLossContingencyMember_b48b1b7a-56b5-4849-b111-d1ef9f4dad55" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_MinimumLossContingencyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain_96aff778-ed86-485b-8597-2468656c178a" xlink:to="loc_noc_MinimumLossContingencyMember_b48b1b7a-56b5-4849-b111-d1ef9f4dad55" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/RetirementBenefitsNetPeriodicBenefitCostBenefitDetails1" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#RetirementBenefitsNetPeriodicBenefitCostBenefitDetails1"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/RetirementBenefitsNetPeriodicBenefitCostBenefitDetails1" xlink:type="extended" id="iab13365074204ea896b00094c5a4b6e7_RetirementBenefitsNetPeriodicBenefitCostBenefitDetails1">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_50581d8a-e139-4fc0-8f3f-a0f9ae5429ac" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_158a6ff6-8b6d-4a57-a4f1-4c37876f48d8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_50581d8a-e139-4fc0-8f3f-a0f9ae5429ac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_158a6ff6-8b6d-4a57-a4f1-4c37876f48d8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost_8a12b79e-bb1d-4b2d-8239-04d8955be117" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_158a6ff6-8b6d-4a57-a4f1-4c37876f48d8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost_8a12b79e-bb1d-4b2d-8239-04d8955be117" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost_bfc53216-e345-436d-a9a3-bc5f27dd11d1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_158a6ff6-8b6d-4a57-a4f1-4c37876f48d8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost_bfc53216-e345-436d-a9a3-bc5f27dd11d1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets_1833488e-17a4-41b2-92fa-fd1a13664771" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_158a6ff6-8b6d-4a57-a4f1-4c37876f48d8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets_1833488e-17a4-41b2-92fa-fd1a13664771" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit_e11061de-6464-4891-b9fc-996221a04545" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_158a6ff6-8b6d-4a57-a4f1-4c37876f48d8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit_e11061de-6464-4891-b9fc-996221a04545" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActuarialGainLossImmediateRecognitionAsComponentInNetPeriodicBenefitCostCredit_a8f9ac47-4e96-46c9-ab70-b01324a774b3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActuarialGainLossImmediateRecognitionAsComponentInNetPeriodicBenefitCostCredit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_158a6ff6-8b6d-4a57-a4f1-4c37876f48d8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActuarialGainLossImmediateRecognitionAsComponentInNetPeriodicBenefitCostCredit_a8f9ac47-4e96-46c9-ab70-b01324a774b3" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanOtherCosts_6f908e80-60ae-483d-8011-533f0cc6fb8a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanOtherCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_158a6ff6-8b6d-4a57-a4f1-4c37876f48d8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanOtherCosts_6f908e80-60ae-483d-8011-533f0cc6fb8a" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost_6987c2b1-464d-4a8a-a845-18b7a53a5943" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_158a6ff6-8b6d-4a57-a4f1-4c37876f48d8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost_6987c2b1-464d-4a8a-a845-18b7a53a5943" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_685959b1-ce26-450b-84b2-79d361a6b296" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_50581d8a-e139-4fc0-8f3f-a0f9ae5429ac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_685959b1-ce26-450b-84b2-79d361a6b296" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_03618631-13e0-4932-b036-c0693d85b6f7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_685959b1-ce26-450b-84b2-79d361a6b296" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_03618631-13e0-4932-b036-c0693d85b6f7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_03618631-13e0-4932-b036-c0693d85b6f7_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_03618631-13e0-4932-b036-c0693d85b6f7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_03618631-13e0-4932-b036-c0693d85b6f7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_05dff913-a55f-47f5-8df1-c243da0bb6ae" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_03618631-13e0-4932-b036-c0693d85b6f7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_05dff913-a55f-47f5-8df1-c243da0bb6ae" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember_39d3fc2d-e503-4dc0-8850-ca1cdf3c095c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_05dff913-a55f-47f5-8df1-c243da0bb6ae" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember_39d3fc2d-e503-4dc0-8850-ca1cdf3c095c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember_bd59ab3b-f80b-4af0-8774-e65afc58aa8c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_05dff913-a55f-47f5-8df1-c243da0bb6ae" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember_bd59ab3b-f80b-4af0-8774-e65afc58aa8c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/RetirementBenefitsUnamortizedPriorServiceCreditRollforwardDetails2" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#RetirementBenefitsUnamortizedPriorServiceCreditRollforwardDetails2"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/RetirementBenefitsUnamortizedPriorServiceCreditRollforwardDetails2" xlink:type="extended" id="ibdd667aa4a9b4a289fad4b9e6c3ad69b_RetirementBenefitsUnamortizedPriorServiceCreditRollforwardDetails2">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_2ba1509b-4dca-480b-94c2-54723a9a1c87" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmountsRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeAbstract_8fa0ae47-6aa5-4e19-badb-7933e776c3f2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmountsRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_2ba1509b-4dca-480b-94c2-54723a9a1c87" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmountsRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeAbstract_8fa0ae47-6aa5-4e19-badb-7933e776c3f2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_AmortizationOfPriorServiceCostAndLossesAbstract_9d7fa96a-ae18-4497-b41e-43534826ec0f" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_AmortizationOfPriorServiceCostAndLossesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmountsRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeAbstract_8fa0ae47-6aa5-4e19-badb-7933e776c3f2" xlink:to="loc_noc_AmortizationOfPriorServiceCostAndLossesAbstract_9d7fa96a-ae18-4497-b41e-43534826ec0f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAmortizationAdjustmentFromAOCIPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansForNetPriorServiceCostCreditBeforeTax_8fd1deda-9ba8-4fb1-8a97-368e291441dd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAmortizationAdjustmentFromAOCIPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansForNetPriorServiceCostCreditBeforeTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmountsRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeAbstract_8fa0ae47-6aa5-4e19-badb-7933e776c3f2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAmortizationAdjustmentFromAOCIPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansForNetPriorServiceCostCreditBeforeTax_8fd1deda-9ba8-4fb1-8a97-368e291441dd" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansTax_8190461d-3a21-4407-8a99-fb0a222f1f09" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmountsRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeAbstract_8fa0ae47-6aa5-4e19-badb-7933e776c3f2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansTax_8190461d-3a21-4407-8a99-fb0a222f1f09" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTax_956480fe-e05c-4755-a7bb-b41f6b86f114" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmountsRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeAbstract_8fa0ae47-6aa5-4e19-badb-7933e776c3f2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTax_956480fe-e05c-4755-a7bb-b41f6b86f114" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_2438a200-34f4-40e0-a48c-4f442f4ad499" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_2ba1509b-4dca-480b-94c2-54723a9a1c87" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_2438a200-34f4-40e0-a48c-4f442f4ad499" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_32973fbe-4981-4a84-885c-489628bb87e6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_2438a200-34f4-40e0-a48c-4f442f4ad499" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_32973fbe-4981-4a84-885c-489628bb87e6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_32973fbe-4981-4a84-885c-489628bb87e6_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_32973fbe-4981-4a84-885c-489628bb87e6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_32973fbe-4981-4a84-885c-489628bb87e6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_84a4a514-c15d-4464-964d-e32b9249c9d3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_32973fbe-4981-4a84-885c-489628bb87e6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_84a4a514-c15d-4464-964d-e32b9249c9d3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember_fd0eb55a-52e0-46aa-8d63-042fb5abe91d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_84a4a514-c15d-4464-964d-e32b9249c9d3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember_fd0eb55a-52e0-46aa-8d63-042fb5abe91d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember_7014a070-f0c1-4711-9cfd-e31eca2a7c43" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_84a4a514-c15d-4464-964d-e32b9249c9d3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember_7014a070-f0c1-4711-9cfd-e31eca2a7c43" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/RetirementBenefitsFundedStatusofPlanAssetsLiabilitiesDetails3" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#RetirementBenefitsFundedStatusofPlanAssetsLiabilitiesDetails3"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/RetirementBenefitsFundedStatusofPlanAssetsLiabilitiesDetails3" xlink:type="extended" id="iffb55cf5dd6a488e956281f4bd51290c_RetirementBenefitsFundedStatusofPlanAssetsLiabilitiesDetails3">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_033fad51-ea25-4fc8-ae4f-1be05c440ba5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanChangeInFairValueOfPlanAssetsRollForward_4b685c02-951e-4049-8f83-b0a106456cc0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanChangeInFairValueOfPlanAssetsRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_033fad51-ea25-4fc8-ae4f-1be05c440ba5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanChangeInFairValueOfPlanAssetsRollForward_4b685c02-951e-4049-8f83-b0a106456cc0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets_f41dc971-6ae9-4130-9f61-7b890646c09a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanChangeInFairValueOfPlanAssetsRollForward_4b685c02-951e-4049-8f83-b0a106456cc0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets_f41dc971-6ae9-4130-9f61-7b890646c09a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActualReturnOnPlanAssets_0676c6bd-32e7-4086-a5d8-3db18d76e8e6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActualReturnOnPlanAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanChangeInFairValueOfPlanAssetsRollForward_4b685c02-951e-4049-8f83-b0a106456cc0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActualReturnOnPlanAssets_0676c6bd-32e7-4086-a5d8-3db18d76e8e6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer_84cf57f5-ef83-4717-84e9-52a5ef9b26a7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanChangeInFairValueOfPlanAssetsRollForward_4b685c02-951e-4049-8f83-b0a106456cc0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer_84cf57f5-ef83-4717-84e9-52a5ef9b26a7" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanPlanAssetsContributionsByPlanParticipant_a4ba79a8-d88c-4960-a7e7-54c4de94f906" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanPlanAssetsContributionsByPlanParticipant"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanChangeInFairValueOfPlanAssetsRollForward_4b685c02-951e-4049-8f83-b0a106456cc0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanPlanAssetsContributionsByPlanParticipant_a4ba79a8-d88c-4960-a7e7-54c4de94f906" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanPlanAssetsBenefitsPaid_317d33f7-2e03-4201-b780-e68156f1089e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanPlanAssetsBenefitsPaid"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanChangeInFairValueOfPlanAssetsRollForward_4b685c02-951e-4049-8f83-b0a106456cc0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanPlanAssetsBenefitsPaid_317d33f7-2e03-4201-b780-e68156f1089e" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_DefinedBenefitPlanOtherChangeInPlanAssets_45554393-865f-4cbd-8c58-d47a3ab2e699" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_DefinedBenefitPlanOtherChangeInPlanAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanChangeInFairValueOfPlanAssetsRollForward_4b685c02-951e-4049-8f83-b0a106456cc0" xlink:to="loc_noc_DefinedBenefitPlanOtherChangeInPlanAssets_45554393-865f-4cbd-8c58-d47a3ab2e699" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets_2fca6e3e-8975-4911-ba8a-dedc7d313d56" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanChangeInBenefitObligationRollForward_56561643-6162-43d2-81b2-a832aa1ddbb2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanChangeInBenefitObligationRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_033fad51-ea25-4fc8-ae4f-1be05c440ba5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanChangeInBenefitObligationRollForward_56561643-6162-43d2-81b2-a832aa1ddbb2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation_091706f7-a83d-4ccd-a232-0919b8ea4e37" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanChangeInBenefitObligationRollForward_56561643-6162-43d2-81b2-a832aa1ddbb2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation_091706f7-a83d-4ccd-a232-0919b8ea4e37" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost_8270eaa9-f331-4aba-b24a-cb366516915b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanChangeInBenefitObligationRollForward_56561643-6162-43d2-81b2-a832aa1ddbb2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost_8270eaa9-f331-4aba-b24a-cb366516915b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost_06edb4da-2bb9-4aa3-b1da-4b916d7856ac" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanChangeInBenefitObligationRollForward_56561643-6162-43d2-81b2-a832aa1ddbb2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost_06edb4da-2bb9-4aa3-b1da-4b916d7856ac" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligationContributionsByPlanParticipant_070616d3-79c4-43a3-9d5e-fb1f5e739c81" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligationContributionsByPlanParticipant"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanChangeInBenefitObligationRollForward_56561643-6162-43d2-81b2-a832aa1ddbb2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligationContributionsByPlanParticipant_070616d3-79c4-43a3-9d5e-fb1f5e739c81" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActuarialGainLoss_9e337e64-c910-41e8-a55a-559854697f8f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActuarialGainLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanChangeInBenefitObligationRollForward_56561643-6162-43d2-81b2-a832aa1ddbb2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActuarialGainLoss_9e337e64-c910-41e8-a55a-559854697f8f" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligationBenefitsPaid_fb5f7967-9092-4995-8402-36838bf7c409" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligationBenefitsPaid"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanChangeInBenefitObligationRollForward_56561643-6162-43d2-81b2-a832aa1ddbb2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligationBenefitsPaid_fb5f7967-9092-4995-8402-36838bf7c409" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanOtherChanges_db195366-e71f-41a2-aadb-3a7ef294ddab" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanOtherChanges"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanChangeInBenefitObligationRollForward_56561643-6162-43d2-81b2-a832aa1ddbb2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanOtherChanges_db195366-e71f-41a2-aadb-3a7ef294ddab" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation_75089f63-58d8-4b71-b0ae-5594de4091b1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFundedStatusOfPlan_97eaec93-1d5f-483a-b63a-3c627492263f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFundedStatusOfPlan"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanChangeInBenefitObligationRollForward_56561643-6162-43d2-81b2-a832aa1ddbb2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFundedStatusOfPlan_97eaec93-1d5f-483a-b63a-3c627492263f" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmountsRecognizedInBalanceSheetAbstract_21973526-5009-4149-8490-e4bac764993d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmountsRecognizedInBalanceSheetAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_033fad51-ea25-4fc8-ae4f-1be05c440ba5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmountsRecognizedInBalanceSheetAbstract_21973526-5009-4149-8490-e4bac764993d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetsForPlanBenefitsNoncurrent_43113472-cb5b-48d4-8b6c-743cda2fc610" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetsForPlanBenefitsNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmountsRecognizedInBalanceSheetAbstract_21973526-5009-4149-8490-e4bac764993d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetsForPlanBenefitsNoncurrent_43113472-cb5b-48d4-8b6c-743cda2fc610" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementDefinedBenefitPlansCurrentLiabilities_0e294094-995e-4c13-b4c5-bea014b5ccda" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementDefinedBenefitPlansCurrentLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmountsRecognizedInBalanceSheetAbstract_21973526-5009-4149-8490-e4bac764993d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementDefinedBenefitPlansCurrentLiabilities_0e294094-995e-4c13-b4c5-bea014b5ccda" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementDefinedBenefitPlansLiabilitiesNoncurrent_36ce9724-496b-4030-81fb-ac8c96f90e5d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementDefinedBenefitPlansLiabilitiesNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmountsRecognizedInBalanceSheetAbstract_21973526-5009-4149-8490-e4bac764993d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementDefinedBenefitPlansLiabilitiesNoncurrent_36ce9724-496b-4030-81fb-ac8c96f90e5d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_ad804cf9-367e-4ff4-aa19-628e53e5bf65" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_033fad51-ea25-4fc8-ae4f-1be05c440ba5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_ad804cf9-367e-4ff4-aa19-628e53e5bf65" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_d0b34018-41f5-44f0-8185-65d44152dff4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_ad804cf9-367e-4ff4-aa19-628e53e5bf65" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_d0b34018-41f5-44f0-8185-65d44152dff4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_d0b34018-41f5-44f0-8185-65d44152dff4_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_d0b34018-41f5-44f0-8185-65d44152dff4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_d0b34018-41f5-44f0-8185-65d44152dff4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_5930ea25-a5ce-4a8e-9643-76c74b6e6648" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_d0b34018-41f5-44f0-8185-65d44152dff4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_5930ea25-a5ce-4a8e-9643-76c74b6e6648" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember_1fbcb6a5-94fa-46e0-ac05-f0d946c38f0a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_5930ea25-a5ce-4a8e-9643-76c74b6e6648" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember_1fbcb6a5-94fa-46e0-ac05-f0d946c38f0a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember_4b6b167b-bfc4-4e2e-9dc7-89ef47f12d52" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_5930ea25-a5ce-4a8e-9643-76c74b6e6648" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember_4b6b167b-bfc4-4e2e-9dc7-89ef47f12d52" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/RetirementBenefitsPlanAssumptionsDetails5" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#RetirementBenefitsPlanAssumptionsDetails5"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/RetirementBenefitsPlanAssumptionsDetails5" xlink:type="extended" id="iff3e128f1ec442209d7d9445b7cf061b_RetirementBenefitsPlanAssumptionsDetails5">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_fe24d5ca-aa88-4806-a827-bf685ae4fe02" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanHealthCareCostTrendRateAssumedNextFiscalYear_5b2f8cd2-ac1f-49b8-a085-9d677f0c2a6f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanHealthCareCostTrendRateAssumedNextFiscalYear"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_fe24d5ca-aa88-4806-a827-bf685ae4fe02" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanHealthCareCostTrendRateAssumedNextFiscalYear_5b2f8cd2-ac1f-49b8-a085-9d677f0c2a6f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanUltimateHealthCareCostTrendRate1_38d7c9c1-e4d3-4b9d-afdf-a1bb449d7cf7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanUltimateHealthCareCostTrendRate1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_fe24d5ca-aa88-4806-a827-bf685ae4fe02" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanUltimateHealthCareCostTrendRate1_38d7c9c1-e4d3-4b9d-afdf-a1bb449d7cf7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanYearHealthCareCostTrendRateReachesUltimateTrendRate_80eba490-0429-43cb-814c-415ff293bf62" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanYearHealthCareCostTrendRateReachesUltimateTrendRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_fe24d5ca-aa88-4806-a827-bf685ae4fe02" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanYearHealthCareCostTrendRateReachesUltimateTrendRate_80eba490-0429-43cb-814c-415ff293bf62" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanWeightedAverageAssumptionsUsedInCalculatingBenefitObligationAbstract_45822564-1e4c-4b3e-b3bf-b17e44f3229b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanWeightedAverageAssumptionsUsedInCalculatingBenefitObligationAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_fe24d5ca-aa88-4806-a827-bf685ae4fe02" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanWeightedAverageAssumptionsUsedInCalculatingBenefitObligationAbstract_45822564-1e4c-4b3e-b3bf-b17e44f3229b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationDiscountRate_1849396f-8bdb-4bfe-9a18-4a6cc84e6acd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationDiscountRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanWeightedAverageAssumptionsUsedInCalculatingBenefitObligationAbstract_45822564-1e4c-4b3e-b3bf-b17e44f3229b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationDiscountRate_1849396f-8bdb-4bfe-9a18-4a6cc84e6acd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationExpectedLongTermRateOfReturn_1f853c22-9ddf-41de-a363-7c4af81fa994" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationExpectedLongTermRateOfReturn"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanWeightedAverageAssumptionsUsedInCalculatingBenefitObligationAbstract_45822564-1e4c-4b3e-b3bf-b17e44f3229b" xlink:to="loc_noc_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationExpectedLongTermRateOfReturn_1f853c22-9ddf-41de-a363-7c4af81fa994" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligationCashBalanceCreditingRateAssumedforNextFiscalYear_a6ae30c2-2b79-416b-953a-1f4a5ebba846" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligationCashBalanceCreditingRateAssumedforNextFiscalYear"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanWeightedAverageAssumptionsUsedInCalculatingBenefitObligationAbstract_45822564-1e4c-4b3e-b3bf-b17e44f3229b" xlink:to="loc_noc_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligationCashBalanceCreditingRateAssumedforNextFiscalYear_a6ae30c2-2b79-416b-953a-1f4a5ebba846" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligationUltimateCashBalanceCreditingRate_b4863766-b0a3-4091-b405-ffd15e16e31c" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligationUltimateCashBalanceCreditingRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanWeightedAverageAssumptionsUsedInCalculatingBenefitObligationAbstract_45822564-1e4c-4b3e-b3bf-b17e44f3229b" xlink:to="loc_noc_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligationUltimateCashBalanceCreditingRate_b4863766-b0a3-4091-b405-ffd15e16e31c" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligationCashBalanceCreditingRateYearthatratereachesultimaterate_c5178584-75e9-4265-a8f7-cd22d289d387" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligationCashBalanceCreditingRateYearthatratereachesultimaterate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanWeightedAverageAssumptionsUsedInCalculatingBenefitObligationAbstract_45822564-1e4c-4b3e-b3bf-b17e44f3229b" xlink:to="loc_noc_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligationCashBalanceCreditingRateYearthatratereachesultimaterate_c5178584-75e9-4265-a8f7-cd22d289d387" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationRateOfCompensationIncrease_4d1bb817-9d9f-4667-a589-81f32666771e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationRateOfCompensationIncrease"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanWeightedAverageAssumptionsUsedInCalculatingBenefitObligationAbstract_45822564-1e4c-4b3e-b3bf-b17e44f3229b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationRateOfCompensationIncrease_4d1bb817-9d9f-4667-a589-81f32666771e" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanWeightedAverageAssumptionsUsedInCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_da551349-fa81-42f5-ab63-26ec54633864" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanWeightedAverageAssumptionsUsedInCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_fe24d5ca-aa88-4806-a827-bf685ae4fe02" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanWeightedAverageAssumptionsUsedInCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_da551349-fa81-42f5-ab63-26ec54633864" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostDiscountRate_b048c16b-c0fa-40f7-8438-4967eddfd212" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostDiscountRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanWeightedAverageAssumptionsUsedInCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_da551349-fa81-42f5-ab63-26ec54633864" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostDiscountRate_b048c16b-c0fa-40f7-8438-4967eddfd212" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets_10e282ee-d8e1-457e-82a6-9e821b1a8c37" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanWeightedAverageAssumptionsUsedInCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_da551349-fa81-42f5-ab63-26ec54633864" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets_10e282ee-d8e1-457e-82a6-9e821b1a8c37" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitCostCashBalanceCreditingRateAssumedfornextfiscalyear_2d64030b-13af-480c-a491-621c364d8c83" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitCostCashBalanceCreditingRateAssumedfornextfiscalyear"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanWeightedAverageAssumptionsUsedInCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_da551349-fa81-42f5-ab63-26ec54633864" xlink:to="loc_noc_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitCostCashBalanceCreditingRateAssumedfornextfiscalyear_2d64030b-13af-480c-a491-621c364d8c83" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitCostUltimateCashBalanceCreditingRate_31b479c5-6cca-4eca-a0b7-c955351c438d" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitCostUltimateCashBalanceCreditingRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanWeightedAverageAssumptionsUsedInCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_da551349-fa81-42f5-ab63-26ec54633864" xlink:to="loc_noc_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitCostUltimateCashBalanceCreditingRate_31b479c5-6cca-4eca-a0b7-c955351c438d" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitCostCashBalanceCreditingRateYearthattheratereachestheultimaterate_30577726-091e-4432-b570-09f73e4f768e" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitCostCashBalanceCreditingRateYearthattheratereachestheultimaterate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanWeightedAverageAssumptionsUsedInCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_da551349-fa81-42f5-ab63-26ec54633864" xlink:to="loc_noc_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitCostCashBalanceCreditingRateYearthattheratereachestheultimaterate_30577726-091e-4432-b570-09f73e4f768e" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostRateOfCompensationIncrease_7fe75125-cec5-4c97-9a53-19c9371b5c37" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostRateOfCompensationIncrease"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanWeightedAverageAssumptionsUsedInCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_da551349-fa81-42f5-ab63-26ec54633864" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostRateOfCompensationIncrease_7fe75125-cec5-4c97-9a53-19c9371b5c37" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_0b5626f6-7b01-4df7-a245-0cc314fc10a6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_fe24d5ca-aa88-4806-a827-bf685ae4fe02" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_0b5626f6-7b01-4df7-a245-0cc314fc10a6" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_0a55234b-6897-4057-9e1f-855129ee68f6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_0b5626f6-7b01-4df7-a245-0cc314fc10a6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_0a55234b-6897-4057-9e1f-855129ee68f6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_0a55234b-6897-4057-9e1f-855129ee68f6_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_0a55234b-6897-4057-9e1f-855129ee68f6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_0a55234b-6897-4057-9e1f-855129ee68f6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_59a00e48-f1b2-4f4e-a8e0-dfd760f7bbb2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_0a55234b-6897-4057-9e1f-855129ee68f6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_59a00e48-f1b2-4f4e-a8e0-dfd760f7bbb2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_BenefitObligationMember_8e94ea1f-08e0-4c12-9b05-524e9dc33a3f" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_BenefitObligationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_59a00e48-f1b2-4f4e-a8e0-dfd760f7bbb2" xlink:to="loc_noc_BenefitObligationMember_8e94ea1f-08e0-4c12-9b05-524e9dc33a3f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember_69bde7aa-1a7e-4a5c-9d91-555b2f4ec0a8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_59a00e48-f1b2-4f4e-a8e0-dfd760f7bbb2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember_69bde7aa-1a7e-4a5c-9d91-555b2f4ec0a8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_PostretirementBenefitCostMember_7f0f5f88-b5db-4ea3-98fa-d9131256b0f6" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_PostretirementBenefitCostMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_59a00e48-f1b2-4f4e-a8e0-dfd760f7bbb2" xlink:to="loc_noc_PostretirementBenefitCostMember_7f0f5f88-b5db-4ea3-98fa-d9131256b0f6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember_b6590e8c-db79-4257-a06e-0e2ea9ed0e7e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_59a00e48-f1b2-4f4e-a8e0-dfd760f7bbb2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember_b6590e8c-db79-4257-a06e-0e2ea9ed0e7e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_17b25e76-4193-4619-ab86-bb340af69b05" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_0b5626f6-7b01-4df7-a245-0cc314fc10a6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_17b25e76-4193-4619-ab86-bb340af69b05" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_17b25e76-4193-4619-ab86-bb340af69b05_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_17b25e76-4193-4619-ab86-bb340af69b05" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_17b25e76-4193-4619-ab86-bb340af69b05_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_7f1412e8-c312-4292-9544-4217ed5ed9ed" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_17b25e76-4193-4619-ab86-bb340af69b05" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_7f1412e8-c312-4292-9544-4217ed5ed9ed" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_83e702b2-da10-420f-ae05-87c6e7442c7e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_7f1412e8-c312-4292-9544-4217ed5ed9ed" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_83e702b2-da10-420f-ae05-87c6e7442c7e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/RetirementBenefitsPlanAssetAllocationDetails6" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#RetirementBenefitsPlanAssetAllocationDetails6"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/RetirementBenefitsPlanAssetAllocationDetails6" xlink:type="extended" id="ia84e87f0a9714168a5edb34313eae823_RetirementBenefitsPlanAssetAllocationDetails6">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_c15acb84-2739-4856-838f-41d77c3718f5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetsTargetAllocationsAbstract_7a52242d-d7e4-4016-8e59-6a3a6e1866e2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetsTargetAllocationsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_c15acb84-2739-4856-838f-41d77c3718f5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetsTargetAllocationsAbstract_7a52242d-d7e4-4016-8e59-6a3a6e1866e2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanPlanAssetsTargetAllocationPercentage_ca04dc26-4e0b-4516-b5a7-d44cbf58ae39" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanPlanAssetsTargetAllocationPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetsTargetAllocationsAbstract_7a52242d-d7e4-4016-8e59-6a3a6e1866e2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanPlanAssetsTargetAllocationPercentage_ca04dc26-4e0b-4516-b5a7-d44cbf58ae39" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_6c35f266-a2ec-4a95-8f32-c388895b797a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_c15acb84-2739-4856-838f-41d77c3718f5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_6c35f266-a2ec-4a95-8f32-c388895b797a" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis_3793c6ab-e35a-437e-9f31-0d6f611f4c24" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_6c35f266-a2ec-4a95-8f32-c388895b797a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis_3793c6ab-e35a-437e-9f31-0d6f611f4c24" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanAssetCategoriesDomain_3793c6ab-e35a-437e-9f31-0d6f611f4c24_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PlanAssetCategoriesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis_3793c6ab-e35a-437e-9f31-0d6f611f4c24" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanAssetCategoriesDomain_3793c6ab-e35a-437e-9f31-0d6f611f4c24_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanAssetCategoriesDomain_8728c0d9-6a8d-42f8-ad84-572ec8763a2c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PlanAssetCategoriesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis_3793c6ab-e35a-437e-9f31-0d6f611f4c24" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanAssetCategoriesDomain_8728c0d9-6a8d-42f8-ad84-572ec8763a2c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember_cfd692c0-d7b0-4872-8357-cfd20a89b440" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanAssetCategoriesDomain_8728c0d9-6a8d-42f8-ad84-572ec8763a2c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember_cfd692c0-d7b0-4872-8357-cfd20a89b440" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember_bd0002d3-b744-4c95-b6ca-4514de457fe1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanAssetCategoriesDomain_8728c0d9-6a8d-42f8-ad84-572ec8763a2c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember_bd0002d3-b744-4c95-b6ca-4514de457fe1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FixedIncomeSecuritiesMember_fd5fd49c-3f2a-4399-afa8-4d560707afb8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FixedIncomeSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanAssetCategoriesDomain_8728c0d9-6a8d-42f8-ad84-572ec8763a2c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FixedIncomeSecuritiesMember_fd5fd49c-3f2a-4399-afa8-4d560707afb8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_RealEstateAndOtherSecuritiesMember_34b2bf0b-f791-48ea-961d-a3b7752af66c" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_RealEstateAndOtherSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanAssetCategoriesDomain_8728c0d9-6a8d-42f8-ad84-572ec8763a2c" xlink:to="loc_noc_RealEstateAndOtherSecuritiesMember_34b2bf0b-f791-48ea-961d-a3b7752af66c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_2869e0ff-b943-4ef0-92e9-5f2915bc24a7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_6c35f266-a2ec-4a95-8f32-c388895b797a" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_2869e0ff-b943-4ef0-92e9-5f2915bc24a7" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_2869e0ff-b943-4ef0-92e9-5f2915bc24a7_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_2869e0ff-b943-4ef0-92e9-5f2915bc24a7" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_2869e0ff-b943-4ef0-92e9-5f2915bc24a7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_bfd17cc1-eae5-45f5-874b-81313ddc1c84" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_2869e0ff-b943-4ef0-92e9-5f2915bc24a7" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_bfd17cc1-eae5-45f5-874b-81313ddc1c84" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_3868ad5b-268c-49b3-b058-06b3e19714ce" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_bfd17cc1-eae5-45f5-874b-81313ddc1c84" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_3868ad5b-268c-49b3-b058-06b3e19714ce" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_34221cc4-6e2b-4ee5-90d0-d8ad99c87192" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_bfd17cc1-eae5-45f5-874b-81313ddc1c84" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_34221cc4-6e2b-4ee5-90d0-d8ad99c87192" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/RetirementBenefitsCategorizationofPlanAssetsDetails7" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#RetirementBenefitsCategorizationofPlanAssetsDetails7"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/RetirementBenefitsCategorizationofPlanAssetsDetails7" xlink:type="extended" id="ibd71472b6997487bb86ea97c595f5995_RetirementBenefitsCategorizationofPlanAssetsDetails7">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_003b9d1e-71d9-44da-9ce0-a20a54d696ea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInformationAboutPlanAssetsAbstract_661b3ba2-8d6b-456f-b7dd-984aca1c6454" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInformationAboutPlanAssetsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_003b9d1e-71d9-44da-9ce0-a20a54d696ea" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInformationAboutPlanAssetsAbstract_661b3ba2-8d6b-456f-b7dd-984aca1c6454" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets_521ff259-238d-4852-be88-615f7c7cec81" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInformationAboutPlanAssetsAbstract_661b3ba2-8d6b-456f-b7dd-984aca1c6454" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets_521ff259-238d-4852-be88-615f7c7cec81" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AlternativeInvestment_c8adbc31-4405-45e8-a4d9-8825400194ff" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AlternativeInvestment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInformationAboutPlanAssetsAbstract_661b3ba2-8d6b-456f-b7dd-984aca1c6454" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AlternativeInvestment_c8adbc31-4405-45e8-a4d9-8825400194ff" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssets_dd712e2b-9b66-4426-8ce4-780c5a27aa7a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_003b9d1e-71d9-44da-9ce0-a20a54d696ea" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssets_dd712e2b-9b66-4426-8ce4-780c5a27aa7a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities_d7001a61-46b2-44f2-8d6f-89b98f00e4b8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_003b9d1e-71d9-44da-9ce0-a20a54d696ea" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities_d7001a61-46b2-44f2-8d6f-89b98f00e4b8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeNotionalAmount_1350ffdc-056f-49a1-8150-4edf79b9eb5b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeNotionalAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_003b9d1e-71d9-44da-9ce0-a20a54d696ea" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeNotionalAmount_1350ffdc-056f-49a1-8150-4edf79b9eb5b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_858cb90e-11b5-43f1-a503-fef7a09547dc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_003b9d1e-71d9-44da-9ce0-a20a54d696ea" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_858cb90e-11b5-43f1-a503-fef7a09547dc" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_9f3446d1-79eb-421e-88f7-3715cec982ab" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_858cb90e-11b5-43f1-a503-fef7a09547dc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_9f3446d1-79eb-421e-88f7-3715cec982ab" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_9f3446d1-79eb-421e-88f7-3715cec982ab_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_9f3446d1-79eb-421e-88f7-3715cec982ab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_9f3446d1-79eb-421e-88f7-3715cec982ab_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_b1d965e4-17c5-41e4-a25a-4c4e5c00b43a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_9f3446d1-79eb-421e-88f7-3715cec982ab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_b1d965e4-17c5-41e4-a25a-4c4e5c00b43a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_PensionandOtherPostretirementbenefitplansMember_82024f91-0525-4726-983b-2c744e0ad6a8" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_PensionandOtherPostretirementbenefitplansMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_b1d965e4-17c5-41e4-a25a-4c4e5c00b43a" xlink:to="loc_noc_PensionandOtherPostretirementbenefitplansMember_82024f91-0525-4726-983b-2c744e0ad6a8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_a741fce9-8e18-4c16-9533-9dcf3e75e6da" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_858cb90e-11b5-43f1-a503-fef7a09547dc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_a741fce9-8e18-4c16-9533-9dcf3e75e6da" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_a741fce9-8e18-4c16-9533-9dcf3e75e6da_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_a741fce9-8e18-4c16-9533-9dcf3e75e6da" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_a741fce9-8e18-4c16-9533-9dcf3e75e6da_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_10bf9f30-9a98-4b0f-b6bf-fa3384e3722d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_a741fce9-8e18-4c16-9533-9dcf3e75e6da" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_10bf9f30-9a98-4b0f-b6bf-fa3384e3722d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_df5e74fc-706e-4e68-91f4-81877badb00b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_10bf9f30-9a98-4b0f-b6bf-fa3384e3722d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_df5e74fc-706e-4e68-91f4-81877badb00b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_9c5484aa-6788-4882-83f7-9bf85c5af18c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_10bf9f30-9a98-4b0f-b6bf-fa3384e3722d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_9c5484aa-6788-4882-83f7-9bf85c5af18c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_ef5d968e-6b0d-4a30-89c6-645a1da59ffd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_10bf9f30-9a98-4b0f-b6bf-fa3384e3722d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_ef5d968e-6b0d-4a30-89c6-645a1da59ffd" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasuredAtNetAssetValuePerShareMember_4bf2b702-6f7d-43d8-ba0e-8e83e2e97946" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasuredAtNetAssetValuePerShareMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_10bf9f30-9a98-4b0f-b6bf-fa3384e3722d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasuredAtNetAssetValuePerShareMember_4bf2b702-6f7d-43d8-ba0e-8e83e2e97946" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis_1699b3d0-ed3c-4d8f-b708-9a60bb16fbf0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_858cb90e-11b5-43f1-a503-fef7a09547dc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis_1699b3d0-ed3c-4d8f-b708-9a60bb16fbf0" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanAssetCategoriesDomain_1699b3d0-ed3c-4d8f-b708-9a60bb16fbf0_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PlanAssetCategoriesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis_1699b3d0-ed3c-4d8f-b708-9a60bb16fbf0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanAssetCategoriesDomain_1699b3d0-ed3c-4d8f-b708-9a60bb16fbf0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanAssetCategoriesDomain_fc745301-9119-44e2-9f97-5bf3f3ced69e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PlanAssetCategoriesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis_1699b3d0-ed3c-4d8f-b708-9a60bb16fbf0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanAssetCategoriesDomain_fc745301-9119-44e2-9f97-5bf3f3ced69e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember_8c97443c-2677-4316-8b52-b000e5ebcaa9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanAssetCategoriesDomain_fc745301-9119-44e2-9f97-5bf3f3ced69e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember_8c97443c-2677-4316-8b52-b000e5ebcaa9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_U.S.EquitySecuritiesMember_5abbb6cc-e426-4d45-95b3-f63b2e4a558d" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_U.S.EquitySecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanAssetCategoriesDomain_fc745301-9119-44e2-9f97-5bf3f3ced69e" xlink:to="loc_noc_U.S.EquitySecuritiesMember_5abbb6cc-e426-4d45-95b3-f63b2e4a558d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_InternationalEquitySecuritiesMember_8936240e-9fe0-438d-ac0d-afe8a210aa60" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_InternationalEquitySecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanAssetCategoriesDomain_fc745301-9119-44e2-9f97-5bf3f3ced69e" xlink:to="loc_noc_InternationalEquitySecuritiesMember_8936240e-9fe0-438d-ac0d-afe8a210aa60" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FixedIncomeSecuritiesMember_160d35b9-d24d-40b9-bea9-4bd01c6500ad" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FixedIncomeSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanAssetCategoriesDomain_fc745301-9119-44e2-9f97-5bf3f3ced69e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FixedIncomeSecuritiesMember_160d35b9-d24d-40b9-bea9-4bd01c6500ad" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember_eeb4553f-3a5e-4c21-973b-3846fdabbf77" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FixedIncomeSecuritiesMember_160d35b9-d24d-40b9-bea9-4bd01c6500ad" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember_eeb4553f-3a5e-4c21-973b-3846fdabbf77" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember_681edc69-1d80-49b0-b531-e6a34590a0d8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FixedIncomeSecuritiesMember_160d35b9-d24d-40b9-bea9-4bd01c6500ad" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember_681edc69-1d80-49b0-b531-e6a34590a0d8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember_db6d6dfa-82c9-4602-9289-eacdb6020f5d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FixedIncomeSecuritiesMember_160d35b9-d24d-40b9-bea9-4bd01c6500ad" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember_db6d6dfa-82c9-4602-9289-eacdb6020f5d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember_dcc4d3ee-4ed9-4292-9904-34fc90df760a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FixedIncomeSecuritiesMember_160d35b9-d24d-40b9-bea9-4bd01c6500ad" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember_dcc4d3ee-4ed9-4292-9904-34fc90df760a" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember_2e79ebaf-f453-4ef8-945e-138ac16929fa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FixedIncomeSecuritiesMember_160d35b9-d24d-40b9-bea9-4bd01c6500ad" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember_2e79ebaf-f453-4ef8-945e-138ac16929fa" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_HighYieldDebtSecuritiesMember_ad103c6c-43ac-4227-b243-084e646aa1f7" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_HighYieldDebtSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FixedIncomeSecuritiesMember_160d35b9-d24d-40b9-bea9-4bd01c6500ad" xlink:to="loc_noc_HighYieldDebtSecuritiesMember_ad103c6c-43ac-4227-b243-084e646aa1f7" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_BankLoansMember_adedcfa2-c104-47c6-879c-8b77f2f12240" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_BankLoansMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FixedIncomeSecuritiesMember_160d35b9-d24d-40b9-bea9-4bd01c6500ad" xlink:to="loc_noc_BankLoansMember_adedcfa2-c104-47c6-879c-8b77f2f12240" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_OtherAssetCategoriesMember_c00b8aba-7fd3-49fe-8db5-d375a572563e" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_OtherAssetCategoriesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanAssetCategoriesDomain_fc745301-9119-44e2-9f97-5bf3f3ced69e" xlink:to="loc_noc_OtherAssetCategoriesMember_c00b8aba-7fd3-49fe-8db5-d375a572563e" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember_20fc4222-d26a-43f3-8649-f0038b6bdfb2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanAssetCategoriesDomain_fc745301-9119-44e2-9f97-5bf3f3ced69e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember_20fc4222-d26a-43f3-8649-f0038b6bdfb2" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgeFundsMember_7f8a315d-7fbd-4aaf-a34a-d3801bb1af57" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_HedgeFundsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanAssetCategoriesDomain_fc745301-9119-44e2-9f97-5bf3f3ced69e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgeFundsMember_7f8a315d-7fbd-4aaf-a34a-d3801bb1af57" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_OpportunisticFundsMember_979bfe1e-d4cd-410e-a9a4-c98605d6fcb4" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_OpportunisticFundsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanAssetCategoriesDomain_fc745301-9119-44e2-9f97-5bf3f3ced69e" xlink:to="loc_noc_OpportunisticFundsMember_979bfe1e-d4cd-410e-a9a4-c98605d6fcb4" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember_a48702e6-2966-4aab-8762-e3821b46d97d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanAssetCategoriesDomain_fc745301-9119-44e2-9f97-5bf3f3ced69e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember_a48702e6-2966-4aab-8762-e3821b46d97d" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateFundsMember_2f2717e8-4564-4c5c-9fc7-9faa09e700ed" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstateFundsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanAssetCategoriesDomain_fc745301-9119-44e2-9f97-5bf3f3ced69e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateFundsMember_2f2717e8-4564-4c5c-9fc7-9faa09e700ed" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NotesPayableOtherPayablesMember_bac28ae2-8dd6-4f63-b792-598cf06e1ede" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_NotesPayableOtherPayablesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanAssetCategoriesDomain_fc745301-9119-44e2-9f97-5bf3f3ced69e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NotesPayableOtherPayablesMember_bac28ae2-8dd6-4f63-b792-598cf06e1ede" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_133cd252-76e9-4b2d-8cd8-bb707b76df28" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_858cb90e-11b5-43f1-a503-fef7a09547dc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_133cd252-76e9-4b2d-8cd8-bb707b76df28" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_133cd252-76e9-4b2d-8cd8-bb707b76df28_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_133cd252-76e9-4b2d-8cd8-bb707b76df28" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_133cd252-76e9-4b2d-8cd8-bb707b76df28_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_cbcc889c-35c8-4b6f-b92c-3a4d74e9a458" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_133cd252-76e9-4b2d-8cd8-bb707b76df28" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_cbcc889c-35c8-4b6f-b92c-3a4d74e9a458" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsNonrecurringMember_fe847031-1afc-4697-ac3b-6d81b111b45d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsNonrecurringMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_cbcc889c-35c8-4b6f-b92c-3a4d74e9a458" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsNonrecurringMember_fe847031-1afc-4697-ac3b-6d81b111b45d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/RetirementBenefitsEstimatedFutureBenefitPaymentsDetails8" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#RetirementBenefitsEstimatedFutureBenefitPaymentsDetails8"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/RetirementBenefitsEstimatedFutureBenefitPaymentsDetails8" xlink:type="extended" id="if15c72b06a62467da1cbd7d976d4c715_RetirementBenefitsEstimatedFutureBenefitPaymentsDetails8">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_346ef135-a1c5-4fa9-9a8f-9444d1ee66ff" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanEstimatedFutureBenefitPaymentsAbstract_b090ef6a-1e40-4989-9412-4fbaf365e5e5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanEstimatedFutureBenefitPaymentsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_346ef135-a1c5-4fa9-9a8f-9444d1ee66ff" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanEstimatedFutureBenefitPaymentsAbstract_b090ef6a-1e40-4989-9412-4fbaf365e5e5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsNextTwelveMonths_f287cc4b-e7ce-4d90-88e0-8156d7c55e31" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsNextTwelveMonths"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanEstimatedFutureBenefitPaymentsAbstract_b090ef6a-1e40-4989-9412-4fbaf365e5e5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsNextTwelveMonths_f287cc4b-e7ce-4d90-88e0-8156d7c55e31" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearTwo_af2681f6-d749-4ea4-a55e-ff65c5393f84" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearTwo"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanEstimatedFutureBenefitPaymentsAbstract_b090ef6a-1e40-4989-9412-4fbaf365e5e5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearTwo_af2681f6-d749-4ea4-a55e-ff65c5393f84" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearThree_3b62c0de-133b-4def-bb44-748b89b3f364" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearThree"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanEstimatedFutureBenefitPaymentsAbstract_b090ef6a-1e40-4989-9412-4fbaf365e5e5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearThree_3b62c0de-133b-4def-bb44-748b89b3f364" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearFour_827a6e70-390e-4c65-acad-5db1f9c10897" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearFour"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanEstimatedFutureBenefitPaymentsAbstract_b090ef6a-1e40-4989-9412-4fbaf365e5e5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearFour_827a6e70-390e-4c65-acad-5db1f9c10897" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearFive_c5332a6a-bf24-4865-b5af-4c3c4093db2f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearFive"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanEstimatedFutureBenefitPaymentsAbstract_b090ef6a-1e40-4989-9412-4fbaf365e5e5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearFive_c5332a6a-bf24-4865-b5af-4c3c4093db2f" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsFiveFiscalYearsThereafter_157c70ec-b64e-47a3-aefb-55a9d75b9081" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsFiveFiscalYearsThereafter"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanEstimatedFutureBenefitPaymentsAbstract_b090ef6a-1e40-4989-9412-4fbaf365e5e5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsFiveFiscalYearsThereafter_157c70ec-b64e-47a3-aefb-55a9d75b9081" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_75832f10-0d5a-4474-9dd4-610a7bef0e9b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_346ef135-a1c5-4fa9-9a8f-9444d1ee66ff" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_75832f10-0d5a-4474-9dd4-610a7bef0e9b" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_1bffc932-84fe-414a-bb26-24044cba7a79" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_75832f10-0d5a-4474-9dd4-610a7bef0e9b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_1bffc932-84fe-414a-bb26-24044cba7a79" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_1bffc932-84fe-414a-bb26-24044cba7a79_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_1bffc932-84fe-414a-bb26-24044cba7a79" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_1bffc932-84fe-414a-bb26-24044cba7a79_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_d039b700-ba75-4ca8-81df-268f4b2ab488" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_1bffc932-84fe-414a-bb26-24044cba7a79" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_d039b700-ba75-4ca8-81df-268f4b2ab488" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember_52193336-968a-4ad8-96fd-145b3dff6941" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_d039b700-ba75-4ca8-81df-268f4b2ab488" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember_52193336-968a-4ad8-96fd-145b3dff6941" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember_93b0240c-46d5-47ea-b7df-3a5ffee6c6d1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_d039b700-ba75-4ca8-81df-268f4b2ab488" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember_93b0240c-46d5-47ea-b7df-3a5ffee6c6d1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/RetirementBenefitsAmountsinParagraphsRetirementBenefitsDetails9" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#RetirementBenefitsAmountsinParagraphsRetirementBenefitsDetails9"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/RetirementBenefitsAmountsinParagraphsRetirementBenefitsDetails9" xlink:type="extended" id="i6470b09d689d4e09863fc1af91474ddc_RetirementBenefitsAmountsinParagraphsRetirementBenefitsDetails9">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_2cc4a1ba-8479-49ae-92e4-b69d8bb867b4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanPlanAssetsTargetAllocationPercentage_a6737917-6062-4ccd-a801-9da6c42eaea9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanPlanAssetsTargetAllocationPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_2cc4a1ba-8479-49ae-92e4-b69d8bb867b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanPlanAssetsTargetAllocationPercentage_a6737917-6062-4ccd-a801-9da6c42eaea9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanDisclosureLineItems_c0293ee2-6cf4-4a61-8ad6-9ab8bf3fbff7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanDisclosureLineItems"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_2cc4a1ba-8479-49ae-92e4-b69d8bb867b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanDisclosureLineItems_c0293ee2-6cf4-4a61-8ad6-9ab8bf3fbff7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerDiscretionaryContributionAmount_74090c7f-625f-4865-a729-413fde2bb380" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerDiscretionaryContributionAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanDisclosureLineItems_c0293ee2-6cf4-4a61-8ad6-9ab8bf3fbff7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerDiscretionaryContributionAmount_74090c7f-625f-4865-a729-413fde2bb380" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureEmployerContributionsNextFiscalYear_421178dc-3f73-4bae-a34c-79439b9ab2ea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureEmployerContributionsNextFiscalYear"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanDisclosureLineItems_c0293ee2-6cf4-4a61-8ad6-9ab8bf3fbff7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureEmployerContributionsNextFiscalYear_421178dc-3f73-4bae-a34c-79439b9ab2ea" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer_69f0d349-6b0f-491c-84ae-15af1a0293af" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanDisclosureLineItems_c0293ee2-6cf4-4a61-8ad6-9ab8bf3fbff7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer_69f0d349-6b0f-491c-84ae-15af1a0293af" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAdditionalInformationAbstract_5405b956-8d61-42e7-baf5-d20ef624ffb7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAdditionalInformationAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_2cc4a1ba-8479-49ae-92e4-b69d8bb867b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAdditionalInformationAbstract_5405b956-8d61-42e7-baf5-d20ef624ffb7" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAccumulatedBenefitObligation_4821622d-0b03-442b-b1d7-af57e3d0f06c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAccumulatedBenefitObligation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAdditionalInformationAbstract_5405b956-8d61-42e7-baf5-d20ef624ffb7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAccumulatedBenefitObligation_4821622d-0b03-442b-b1d7-af57e3d0f06c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInformationAboutPlanAssetsAbstract_81109f05-df4d-4f50-92c4-fa433292b300" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInformationAboutPlanAssetsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_2cc4a1ba-8479-49ae-92e4-b69d8bb867b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInformationAboutPlanAssetsAbstract_81109f05-df4d-4f50-92c4-fa433292b300" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareUnfundedCommittments_122c33ac-671d-4ee7-bdf0-b9298d96cfe0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareUnfundedCommittments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInformationAboutPlanAssetsAbstract_81109f05-df4d-4f50-92c4-fa433292b300" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareUnfundedCommittments_122c33ac-671d-4ee7-bdf0-b9298d96cfe0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_AverageInvestmentTermAlternativeInvestments_6b690e19-dc6c-451f-925e-2bdfe585eb50" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_AverageInvestmentTermAlternativeInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInformationAboutPlanAssetsAbstract_81109f05-df4d-4f50-92c4-fa433292b300" xlink:to="loc_noc_AverageInvestmentTermAlternativeInvestments_6b690e19-dc6c-451f-925e-2bdfe585eb50" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareInvestmentRedemptionFrequency_ab3e6e77-3600-4ccb-b251-122ab9094e7c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareInvestmentRedemptionFrequency"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInformationAboutPlanAssetsAbstract_81109f05-df4d-4f50-92c4-fa433292b300" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareInvestmentRedemptionFrequency_ab3e6e77-3600-4ccb-b251-122ab9094e7c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareInvestmentRedemptionNoticePeriod1_980670e2-5f2c-4b18-bf73-b7561c0b3e92" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareInvestmentRedemptionNoticePeriod1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInformationAboutPlanAssetsAbstract_81109f05-df4d-4f50-92c4-fa433292b300" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareInvestmentRedemptionNoticePeriod1_980670e2-5f2c-4b18-bf73-b7561c0b3e92" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_ActualPercentReturnOnPlanAssets_58363ac0-41e5-4a51-97a9-7b36c51d960e" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_ActualPercentReturnOnPlanAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_2cc4a1ba-8479-49ae-92e4-b69d8bb867b4" xlink:to="loc_noc_ActualPercentReturnOnPlanAssets_58363ac0-41e5-4a51-97a9-7b36c51d960e" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_YearlyDiscountRateChangeInBasisPoints_5f06afb8-58ad-4012-8570-dc9df5cb7f83" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_YearlyDiscountRateChangeInBasisPoints"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_2cc4a1ba-8479-49ae-92e4-b69d8bb867b4" xlink:to="loc_noc_YearlyDiscountRateChangeInBasisPoints_5f06afb8-58ad-4012-8570-dc9df5cb7f83" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_DefinedBenefitPlanPlanAssetsContributionsByEmployerVoluntaryContributions_118bd5d2-9353-402a-a6a6-2f215fe6af02" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_DefinedBenefitPlanPlanAssetsContributionsByEmployerVoluntaryContributions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_2cc4a1ba-8479-49ae-92e4-b69d8bb867b4" xlink:to="loc_noc_DefinedBenefitPlanPlanAssetsContributionsByEmployerVoluntaryContributions_118bd5d2-9353-402a-a6a6-2f215fe6af02" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_95871d2a-9899-4c87-a0ef-afdc72a73277" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_2cc4a1ba-8479-49ae-92e4-b69d8bb867b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_95871d2a-9899-4c87-a0ef-afdc72a73277" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_b3b26235-7d6b-43db-9f40-0e39bf741c7f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_95871d2a-9899-4c87-a0ef-afdc72a73277" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_b3b26235-7d6b-43db-9f40-0e39bf741c7f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_b3b26235-7d6b-43db-9f40-0e39bf741c7f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_b3b26235-7d6b-43db-9f40-0e39bf741c7f" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_b3b26235-7d6b-43db-9f40-0e39bf741c7f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_d5bba7d3-20aa-49b3-9d6c-4d4318d8c465" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_b3b26235-7d6b-43db-9f40-0e39bf741c7f" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_d5bba7d3-20aa-49b3-9d6c-4d4318d8c465" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_47e99cbc-aea7-4c92-a4d8-079736913e75" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_d5bba7d3-20aa-49b3-9d6c-4d4318d8c465" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_47e99cbc-aea7-4c92-a4d8-079736913e75" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_346aaee1-d731-41eb-a4c8-ba223ccf149a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_d5bba7d3-20aa-49b3-9d6c-4d4318d8c465" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_346aaee1-d731-41eb-a4c8-ba223ccf149a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis_813d8fa2-7749-4b13-a437-66c56685edc5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_95871d2a-9899-4c87-a0ef-afdc72a73277" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis_813d8fa2-7749-4b13-a437-66c56685edc5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanAssetCategoriesDomain_813d8fa2-7749-4b13-a437-66c56685edc5_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PlanAssetCategoriesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis_813d8fa2-7749-4b13-a437-66c56685edc5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanAssetCategoriesDomain_813d8fa2-7749-4b13-a437-66c56685edc5_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanAssetCategoriesDomain_b324dc3b-c329-459a-afb9-9c1783993c34" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PlanAssetCategoriesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis_813d8fa2-7749-4b13-a437-66c56685edc5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanAssetCategoriesDomain_b324dc3b-c329-459a-afb9-9c1783993c34" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_U.S.EquitySecuritiesMember_591678ad-f30a-4270-80a6-e7f8e7811e97" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_U.S.EquitySecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanAssetCategoriesDomain_b324dc3b-c329-459a-afb9-9c1783993c34" xlink:to="loc_noc_U.S.EquitySecuritiesMember_591678ad-f30a-4270-80a6-e7f8e7811e97" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_InternationalEquitySecuritiesMember_d9d48b4b-e4d7-4e5d-9087-a8d0b10e41f0" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_InternationalEquitySecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanAssetCategoriesDomain_b324dc3b-c329-459a-afb9-9c1783993c34" xlink:to="loc_noc_InternationalEquitySecuritiesMember_d9d48b4b-e4d7-4e5d-9087-a8d0b10e41f0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember_a4e3c654-cdf7-47a0-a5e3-b8f931a00add" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanAssetCategoriesDomain_b324dc3b-c329-459a-afb9-9c1783993c34" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember_a4e3c654-cdf7-47a0-a5e3-b8f931a00add" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgeFundsMember_fc57fc08-2999-42da-8951-a35c1a399e5a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_HedgeFundsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanAssetCategoriesDomain_b324dc3b-c329-459a-afb9-9c1783993c34" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgeFundsMember_fc57fc08-2999-42da-8951-a35c1a399e5a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_OpportunisticFundsMember_4b383138-9f7b-4d7f-bf25-bb9ded83c9fe" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_OpportunisticFundsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanAssetCategoriesDomain_b324dc3b-c329-459a-afb9-9c1783993c34" xlink:to="loc_noc_OpportunisticFundsMember_4b383138-9f7b-4d7f-bf25-bb9ded83c9fe" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember_9d63eccd-23b8-4d8d-ba35-57b1b256c4f5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanAssetCategoriesDomain_b324dc3b-c329-459a-afb9-9c1783993c34" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember_9d63eccd-23b8-4d8d-ba35-57b1b256c4f5" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateFundsMember_26c95ff3-e95a-4031-968d-c2d7f990a787" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstateFundsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanAssetCategoriesDomain_b324dc3b-c329-459a-afb9-9c1783993c34" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateFundsMember_26c95ff3-e95a-4031-968d-c2d7f990a787" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_1bfc8d87-6e58-40b2-b852-1b3eb73668be" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_95871d2a-9899-4c87-a0ef-afdc72a73277" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_1bfc8d87-6e58-40b2-b852-1b3eb73668be" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_1bfc8d87-6e58-40b2-b852-1b3eb73668be_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_1bfc8d87-6e58-40b2-b852-1b3eb73668be" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_1bfc8d87-6e58-40b2-b852-1b3eb73668be_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_71bae5db-10a3-4c20-a311-3fb9d4cf5e73" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_1bfc8d87-6e58-40b2-b852-1b3eb73668be" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_71bae5db-10a3-4c20-a311-3fb9d4cf5e73" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember_db228039-b9ad-4ec4-b676-ac0c46dd8544" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_71bae5db-10a3-4c20-a311-3fb9d4cf5e73" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember_db228039-b9ad-4ec4-b676-ac0c46dd8544" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember_2071acf3-89ee-4fe5-81fe-f502d39c2b8c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_71bae5db-10a3-4c20-a311-3fb9d4cf5e73" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember_2071acf3-89ee-4fe5-81fe-f502d39c2b8c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_54889292-783d-45d6-b51b-7d67743d8d9e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_95871d2a-9899-4c87-a0ef-afdc72a73277" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_54889292-783d-45d6-b51b-7d67743d8d9e" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_54889292-783d-45d6-b51b-7d67743d8d9e_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_54889292-783d-45d6-b51b-7d67743d8d9e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_54889292-783d-45d6-b51b-7d67743d8d9e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_1757d4c4-a725-4025-8b4d-0e5bb4e93c9f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_54889292-783d-45d6-b51b-7d67743d8d9e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_1757d4c4-a725-4025-8b4d-0e5bb4e93c9f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_021c7a60-98f3-4e20-8446-00152b55c016" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_1757d4c4-a725-4025-8b4d-0e5bb4e93c9f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_021c7a60-98f3-4e20-8446-00152b55c016" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/StockCompensationPlansStockAwardsDetails2" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#StockCompensationPlansStockAwardsDetails2"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/StockCompensationPlansStockAwardsDetails2" xlink:type="extended" id="ib64a3c447a1946e895ae2048181d8f4b_StockCompensationPlansStockAwardsDetails2">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_f81946c3-3922-4e19-8c3f-f48639df8c5a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant_36ffe895-7112-4546-a920-502018582a4d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_f81946c3-3922-4e19-8c3f-f48639df8c5a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant_36ffe895-7112-4546-a920-502018582a4d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfAdditionalSharesAuthorized_06929398-a540-4c08-ba12-1916fb223753" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfAdditionalSharesAuthorized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_f81946c3-3922-4e19-8c3f-f48639df8c5a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfAdditionalSharesAuthorized_06929398-a540-4c08-ba12-1916fb223753" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1_b0959cb9-d17d-4781-b78f-809b855b96bb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_f81946c3-3922-4e19-8c3f-f48639df8c5a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1_b0959cb9-d17d-4781-b78f-809b855b96bb" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerms_dd26c1eb-facf-4b2e-9916-d4bbb2e0daba" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerms"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_f81946c3-3922-4e19-8c3f-f48639df8c5a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerms_dd26c1eb-facf-4b2e-9916-d4bbb2e0daba" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_StockIssuedDuringPeriodFairValueGrantDateShareBasedCompensation_5f0bd798-06a4-4b72-8f1f-141588e23841" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_StockIssuedDuringPeriodFairValueGrantDateShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_f81946c3-3922-4e19-8c3f-f48639df8c5a" xlink:to="loc_noc_StockIssuedDuringPeriodFairValueGrantDateShareBasedCompensation_5f0bd798-06a4-4b72-8f1f-141588e23841" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_00606034-a73f-4838-a2f0-fb68539d0806" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_f81946c3-3922-4e19-8c3f-f48639df8c5a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_00606034-a73f-4838-a2f0-fb68539d0806" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_569dced5-673b-481c-a210-f1d135f0faed" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_00606034-a73f-4838-a2f0-fb68539d0806" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_569dced5-673b-481c-a210-f1d135f0faed" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_d0d72988-1ac7-4262-8226-f448bbf172d2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_00606034-a73f-4838-a2f0-fb68539d0806" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_d0d72988-1ac7-4262-8226-f448bbf172d2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_d5d972e8-c43a-446b-a0f6-903a269c4a9f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_00606034-a73f-4838-a2f0-fb68539d0806" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_d5d972e8-c43a-446b-a0f6-903a269c4a9f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod_ffa42171-3349-446e-a321-abf9a46871d6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_00606034-a73f-4838-a2f0-fb68539d0806" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod_ffa42171-3349-446e-a321-abf9a46871d6" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_4d68ade9-4861-42d5-a753-849e6f8e0dcf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_899c79d1-6d52-4c53-a821-8adc2991f9c9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_f81946c3-3922-4e19-8c3f-f48639df8c5a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_899c79d1-6d52-4c53-a821-8adc2991f9c9" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_e655fecb-a645-45ef-b4c1-9770e6bf2525" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_899c79d1-6d52-4c53-a821-8adc2991f9c9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_e655fecb-a645-45ef-b4c1-9770e6bf2525" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_ecc6f88b-36b2-40be-b06b-64f7f11bed41" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_899c79d1-6d52-4c53-a821-8adc2991f9c9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_ecc6f88b-36b2-40be-b06b-64f7f11bed41" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_fc31f98c-e911-4f24-8a8e-bf5efd2d7ca7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_899c79d1-6d52-4c53-a821-8adc2991f9c9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_fc31f98c-e911-4f24-8a8e-bf5efd2d7ca7" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_ae1657db-84c9-4c72-a279-6aca2c321764" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_899c79d1-6d52-4c53-a821-8adc2991f9c9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_ae1657db-84c9-4c72-a279-6aca2c321764" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_c8a2a606-e1b6-4538-ac21-213616c8650c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_dea46a69-e488-4654-95fc-eb2b253ba51c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_f81946c3-3922-4e19-8c3f-f48639df8c5a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_dea46a69-e488-4654-95fc-eb2b253ba51c" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_33758ac6-782d-4aef-ad12-cafb1d8bad81" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_dea46a69-e488-4654-95fc-eb2b253ba51c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_33758ac6-782d-4aef-ad12-cafb1d8bad81" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_33758ac6-782d-4aef-ad12-cafb1d8bad81_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_33758ac6-782d-4aef-ad12-cafb1d8bad81" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_33758ac6-782d-4aef-ad12-cafb1d8bad81_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_cf98e8fe-7f50-43f0-897a-cefdac1f8e97" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_33758ac6-782d-4aef-ad12-cafb1d8bad81" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_cf98e8fe-7f50-43f0-897a-cefdac1f8e97" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_Amended2011PlanDomain_ef351ec0-abc1-4e6d-b8af-a820637a6ad6" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_Amended2011PlanDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_cf98e8fe-7f50-43f0-897a-cefdac1f8e97" xlink:to="loc_noc_Amended2011PlanDomain_ef351ec0-abc1-4e6d-b8af-a820637a6ad6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_A2011LongTermIncentiveStockPlanMember_ccddce4f-4c08-44e4-8d1c-80da0dba565d" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_A2011LongTermIncentiveStockPlanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_cf98e8fe-7f50-43f0-897a-cefdac1f8e97" xlink:to="loc_noc_A2011LongTermIncentiveStockPlanMember_ccddce4f-4c08-44e4-8d1c-80da0dba565d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_bec383af-3ddc-471a-988e-da364ec3b7fd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_dea46a69-e488-4654-95fc-eb2b253ba51c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_bec383af-3ddc-471a-988e-da364ec3b7fd" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_bec383af-3ddc-471a-988e-da364ec3b7fd_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_bec383af-3ddc-471a-988e-da364ec3b7fd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_bec383af-3ddc-471a-988e-da364ec3b7fd_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_f31477b6-bd74-47a8-8e80-541e5471cbc9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_bec383af-3ddc-471a-988e-da364ec3b7fd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_f31477b6-bd74-47a8-8e80-541e5471cbc9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/StockCompensationPlansCashAwardsDetails3" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#StockCompensationPlansCashAwardsDetails3"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/StockCompensationPlansCashAwardsDetails3" xlink:type="extended" id="idd32a56fb3274de09093d607c0ed061a_StockCompensationPlansCashAwardsDetails3">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_576829d5-a171-482c-a34b-28db4d73126e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardGrantsPercentageFinancialMetricMetExceeded_f6085846-2502-45e3-9a5c-e653c9b5085b" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardGrantsPercentageFinancialMetricMetExceeded"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_576829d5-a171-482c-a34b-28db4d73126e" xlink:to="loc_noc_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardGrantsPercentageFinancialMetricMetExceeded_f6085846-2502-45e3-9a5c-e653c9b5085b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredCompensationCashBasedArrangementsLiabilityCurrent_1153337c-3562-441d-a489-4e5f66af7ad9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredCompensationCashBasedArrangementsLiabilityCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_576829d5-a171-482c-a34b-28db4d73126e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredCompensationCashBasedArrangementsLiabilityCurrent_1153337c-3562-441d-a489-4e5f66af7ad9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized_0584da84-4ae7-4419-b568-b6f96bd7e018" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_576829d5-a171-482c-a34b-28db4d73126e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized_0584da84-4ae7-4419-b568-b6f96bd7e018" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_a1691220-a235-4f67-8ccc-8f4a5635763d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_576829d5-a171-482c-a34b-28db4d73126e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_a1691220-a235-4f67-8ccc-8f4a5635763d" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_06b30589-aa73-4ffb-a586-1ec793928c21" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_a1691220-a235-4f67-8ccc-8f4a5635763d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_06b30589-aa73-4ffb-a586-1ec793928c21" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_06b30589-aa73-4ffb-a586-1ec793928c21_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_06b30589-aa73-4ffb-a586-1ec793928c21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_06b30589-aa73-4ffb-a586-1ec793928c21_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_3de12164-189d-4f7d-82eb-4d931fdce4fa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_06b30589-aa73-4ffb-a586-1ec793928c21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_3de12164-189d-4f7d-82eb-4d931fdce4fa" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_CashUnitsAndCashPerformanceUnitsMember_79a0be41-f13b-48f6-a2da-8766210ac6f6" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_CashUnitsAndCashPerformanceUnitsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_3de12164-189d-4f7d-82eb-4d931fdce4fa" xlink:to="loc_noc_CashUnitsAndCashPerformanceUnitsMember_79a0be41-f13b-48f6-a2da-8766210ac6f6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_a414a35e-006c-4e81-9b7a-3f92afaed998" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_a1691220-a235-4f67-8ccc-8f4a5635763d" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_a414a35e-006c-4e81-9b7a-3f92afaed998" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_a414a35e-006c-4e81-9b7a-3f92afaed998_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_a414a35e-006c-4e81-9b7a-3f92afaed998" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_a414a35e-006c-4e81-9b7a-3f92afaed998_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_455943bb-fa91-435a-954b-7319e2a77100" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_a414a35e-006c-4e81-9b7a-3f92afaed998" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_455943bb-fa91-435a-954b-7319e2a77100" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_69fac786-2bd3-4d1c-9514-aa22272fcc5c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_455943bb-fa91-435a-954b-7319e2a77100" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_69fac786-2bd3-4d1c-9514-aa22272fcc5c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_68796a50-71f4-4bd3-baad-fd2577650697" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_455943bb-fa91-435a-954b-7319e2a77100" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_68796a50-71f4-4bd3-baad-fd2577650697" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_9148e224-c332-4039-b139-74685553d9ac" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_a1691220-a235-4f67-8ccc-8f4a5635763d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_9148e224-c332-4039-b139-74685553d9ac" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_9148e224-c332-4039-b139-74685553d9ac_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_9148e224-c332-4039-b139-74685553d9ac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_9148e224-c332-4039-b139-74685553d9ac_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_2ce612fc-6e4a-474b-aa1b-a857e85f1d30" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_9148e224-c332-4039-b139-74685553d9ac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_2ce612fc-6e4a-474b-aa1b-a857e85f1d30" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_GrantsDuring2010AndAfterMember_52559125-4ac0-4f8f-9062-dfcf7d2b1840" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_GrantsDuring2010AndAfterMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_2ce612fc-6e4a-474b-aa1b-a857e85f1d30" xlink:to="loc_noc_GrantsDuring2010AndAfterMember_52559125-4ac0-4f8f-9062-dfcf7d2b1840" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/LeasesLeaseMaturitiesDetails4" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#LeasesLeaseMaturitiesDetails4"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/LeasesLeaseMaturitiesDetails4" xlink:type="extended" id="i964260d7fa374ddd9bd4f4325454c238_LeasesLeaseMaturitiesDetails4">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_576521ee-3bd9-4ce8-9c76-7cf2ed65d2aa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_LesseeOperatingLeaseLeaseNotyetCommencedValue_3473f9d5-dcb9-45ca-bee5-5e25d2ea1442" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_LesseeOperatingLeaseLeaseNotyetCommencedValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_576521ee-3bd9-4ce8-9c76-7cf2ed65d2aa" xlink:to="loc_noc_LesseeOperatingLeaseLeaseNotyetCommencedValue_3473f9d5-dcb9-45ca-bee5-5e25d2ea1442" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLeaseNotYetCommencedTermOfContract1_dad360c7-d606-48ef-a3c5-c6d21e6f0267" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLeaseNotYetCommencedTermOfContract1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_576521ee-3bd9-4ce8-9c76-7cf2ed65d2aa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLeaseNotYetCommencedTermOfContract1_dad360c7-d606-48ef-a3c5-c6d21e6f0267" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_6c6dce4b-1f6c-4667-a6e2-d0f9034f7373" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_576521ee-3bd9-4ce8-9c76-7cf2ed65d2aa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_6c6dce4b-1f6c-4667-a6e2-d0f9034f7373" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_bf3c61d9-e255-47d2-b3d7-e2950f678b79" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_6c6dce4b-1f6c-4667-a6e2-d0f9034f7373" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_bf3c61d9-e255-47d2-b3d7-e2950f678b79" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_bf3c61d9-e255-47d2-b3d7-e2950f678b79_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_bf3c61d9-e255-47d2-b3d7-e2950f678b79" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_bf3c61d9-e255-47d2-b3d7-e2950f678b79_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_24a40d13-8bc7-4d67-aa80-83d5d46e532c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_bf3c61d9-e255-47d2-b3d7-e2950f678b79" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_24a40d13-8bc7-4d67-aa80-83d5d46e532c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_4f138321-3768-49d4-ba2f-e2b17779ae49" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_24a40d13-8bc7-4d67-aa80-83d5d46e532c" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_4f138321-3768-49d4-ba2f-e2b17779ae49" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_6e4c866d-b0a0-4de5-9a68-e3df23e22014" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_24a40d13-8bc7-4d67-aa80-83d5d46e532c" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_6e4c866d-b0a0-4de5-9a68-e3df23e22014" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/SegmentInformationReconciliationtoConsolidatedOperatingIncomeDetails1" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#SegmentInformationReconciliationtoConsolidatedOperatingIncomeDetails1"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/SegmentInformationReconciliationtoConsolidatedOperatingIncomeDetails1" xlink:type="extended" id="ib47ddb95f15f4d4c927fb8790525d640_SegmentInformationReconciliationtoConsolidatedOperatingIncomeDetails1">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_3cf817a5-4883-465a-8445-d546946a1780" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationRevenueAbstract_37d6de69-53e5-40af-b140-38065e5678fe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationRevenueAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_3cf817a5-4883-465a-8445-d546946a1780" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationRevenueAbstract_37d6de69-53e5-40af-b140-38065e5678fe" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments_f8db795f-2010-4f12-ae98-e3203e8e3dd1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationRevenueAbstract_37d6de69-53e5-40af-b140-38065e5678fe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments_f8db795f-2010-4f12-ae98-e3203e8e3dd1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_165ec344-3b43-4672-b2e7-97a1f9878527" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_Revenues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationRevenueAbstract_37d6de69-53e5-40af-b140-38065e5678fe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_165ec344-3b43-4672-b2e7-97a1f9878527" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_af6f30df-362e-4d43-970c-2df5585bc40b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationRevenueAbstract_37d6de69-53e5-40af-b140-38065e5678fe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_af6f30df-362e-4d43-970c-2df5585bc40b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_FASCASOperatingAdjustment_3728e52b-5462-4d62-816c-fb671c0e67b8" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_FASCASOperatingAdjustment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationRevenueAbstract_37d6de69-53e5-40af-b140-38065e5678fe" xlink:to="loc_noc_FASCASOperatingAdjustment_3728e52b-5462-4d62-816c-fb671c0e67b8" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_e49e1630-7abf-4aab-ab1e-1d6534643936" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_3cf817a5-4883-465a-8445-d546946a1780" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_e49e1630-7abf-4aab-ab1e-1d6534643936" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_a1edda47-36f3-42d9-8032-7eb788c08c66" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_e49e1630-7abf-4aab-ab1e-1d6534643936" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_a1edda47-36f3-42d9-8032-7eb788c08c66" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_a1edda47-36f3-42d9-8032-7eb788c08c66_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_a1edda47-36f3-42d9-8032-7eb788c08c66" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_a1edda47-36f3-42d9-8032-7eb788c08c66_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_5e8e88c1-cb90-4a83-a6f6-b101b2542679" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_a1edda47-36f3-42d9-8032-7eb788c08c66" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_5e8e88c1-cb90-4a83-a6f6-b101b2542679" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_b6b63906-3a22-466b-991d-1265d8a2a2d6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_5e8e88c1-cb90-4a83-a6f6-b101b2542679" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_b6b63906-3a22-466b-991d-1265d8a2a2d6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember_d6f3c74e-14ea-4cef-9a0b-a009ec575f66" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_5e8e88c1-cb90-4a83-a6f6-b101b2542679" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember_d6f3c74e-14ea-4cef-9a0b-a009ec575f66" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_778c9557-ce48-4fae-88c6-ac0a177a1f70" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_5e8e88c1-cb90-4a83-a6f6-b101b2542679" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_778c9557-ce48-4fae-88c6-ac0a177a1f70" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember_7f506109-f0a1-4d51-a0b6-2d3dc2c3b643" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_5e8e88c1-cb90-4a83-a6f6-b101b2542679" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember_7f506109-f0a1-4d51-a0b6-2d3dc2c3b643" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_dd95276e-1325-4766-85e8-a8242752e4ef" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_e49e1630-7abf-4aab-ab1e-1d6534643936" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_dd95276e-1325-4766-85e8-a8242752e4ef" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_dd95276e-1325-4766-85e8-a8242752e4ef_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_dd95276e-1325-4766-85e8-a8242752e4ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_dd95276e-1325-4766-85e8-a8242752e4ef_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_f770b4c5-cbcf-4dca-a633-da6f38172581" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_dd95276e-1325-4766-85e8-a8242752e4ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_f770b4c5-cbcf-4dca-a633-da6f38172581" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_AeronauticsSystemsMember_0c3a8886-7e7b-4235-b5f9-67e81bbf7f97" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_AeronauticsSystemsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_f770b4c5-cbcf-4dca-a633-da6f38172581" xlink:to="loc_noc_AeronauticsSystemsMember_0c3a8886-7e7b-4235-b5f9-67e81bbf7f97" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_DefenseSystemsMember_76ae8d69-8b29-496c-8882-89671ce34198" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_DefenseSystemsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_f770b4c5-cbcf-4dca-a633-da6f38172581" xlink:to="loc_noc_DefenseSystemsMember_76ae8d69-8b29-496c-8882-89671ce34198" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_MissionSystemsMember_67d753c9-6509-4e81-9d12-c1673d17fad5" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_MissionSystemsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_f770b4c5-cbcf-4dca-a633-da6f38172581" xlink:to="loc_noc_MissionSystemsMember_67d753c9-6509-4e81-9d12-c1673d17fad5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_SpaceSystemsMember_23be44e8-14b5-4ca3-a12b-41f4f510475c" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_SpaceSystemsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_f770b4c5-cbcf-4dca-a633-da6f38172581" xlink:to="loc_noc_SpaceSystemsMember_23be44e8-14b5-4ca3-a12b-41f4f510475c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/SegmentInformationSalesbyCustomerTypeDetails2" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#SegmentInformationSalesbyCustomerTypeDetails2"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/SegmentInformationSalesbyCustomerTypeDetails2" xlink:type="extended" id="i5e227fb5e362412993a1ea8d475e5ac3_SegmentInformationSalesbyCustomerTypeDetails2">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EntityWideRevenueMajorCustomerLineItems_bdf38ecd-1f09-4128-9b10-41b7132e81ef" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EntityWideRevenueMajorCustomerLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_0378bbfa-1dbb-48b2-a614-e5e042bc3f0c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_Revenues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EntityWideRevenueMajorCustomerLineItems_bdf38ecd-1f09-4128-9b10-41b7132e81ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_0378bbfa-1dbb-48b2-a614-e5e042bc3f0c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_RevenuefromContractwithCustomerPercentage_62ca0680-c2d0-40cd-bf1a-03cc8ecf626a" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_RevenuefromContractwithCustomerPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EntityWideRevenueMajorCustomerLineItems_bdf38ecd-1f09-4128-9b10-41b7132e81ef" xlink:to="loc_noc_RevenuefromContractwithCustomerPercentage_62ca0680-c2d0-40cd-bf1a-03cc8ecf626a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEntityWideRevenueByMajorCustomersByReportingSegmentsTable_27e86a51-445e-4af7-a47f-32064ab94194" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEntityWideRevenueByMajorCustomersByReportingSegmentsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EntityWideRevenueMajorCustomerLineItems_bdf38ecd-1f09-4128-9b10-41b7132e81ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEntityWideRevenueByMajorCustomersByReportingSegmentsTable_27e86a51-445e-4af7-a47f-32064ab94194" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_f91e06f0-540d-4710-8774-5b29f219820e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEntityWideRevenueByMajorCustomersByReportingSegmentsTable_27e86a51-445e-4af7-a47f-32064ab94194" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_f91e06f0-540d-4710-8774-5b29f219820e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_f91e06f0-540d-4710-8774-5b29f219820e_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_f91e06f0-540d-4710-8774-5b29f219820e" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_f91e06f0-540d-4710-8774-5b29f219820e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_d1030ab1-423c-4e68-85be-b653c67889fb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_f91e06f0-540d-4710-8774-5b29f219820e" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_d1030ab1-423c-4e68-85be-b653c67889fb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_a3996c50-a6e7-4167-bea8-91ab93dae20d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_d1030ab1-423c-4e68-85be-b653c67889fb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_a3996c50-a6e7-4167-bea8-91ab93dae20d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_ff5e27b7-ccf9-48b6-a7db-3b516c38216b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_MajorCustomersAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEntityWideRevenueByMajorCustomersByReportingSegmentsTable_27e86a51-445e-4af7-a47f-32064ab94194" xlink:to="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_ff5e27b7-ccf9-48b6-a7db-3b516c38216b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_ff5e27b7-ccf9-48b6-a7db-3b516c38216b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_ff5e27b7-ccf9-48b6-a7db-3b516c38216b" xlink:to="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_ff5e27b7-ccf9-48b6-a7db-3b516c38216b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_07c4e276-454e-475d-9402-fca8bb778f13" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_ff5e27b7-ccf9-48b6-a7db-3b516c38216b" xlink:to="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_07c4e276-454e-475d-9402-fca8bb778f13" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_USGovernmentMember_cb135022-2b1d-4f17-bb0c-77930c23860e" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_USGovernmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_07c4e276-454e-475d-9402-fca8bb778f13" xlink:to="loc_noc_USGovernmentMember_cb135022-2b1d-4f17-bb0c-77930c23860e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_InternationalCustomerMember_e15c5f50-3b99-460f-9f1e-ec22f091f51b" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_InternationalCustomerMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_07c4e276-454e-475d-9402-fca8bb778f13" xlink:to="loc_noc_InternationalCustomerMember_e15c5f50-3b99-460f-9f1e-ec22f091f51b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_OtherCustomersMember_340cb1db-b4f3-4b1d-98e9-237187f16364" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_OtherCustomersMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_07c4e276-454e-475d-9402-fca8bb778f13" xlink:to="loc_noc_OtherCustomersMember_340cb1db-b4f3-4b1d-98e9-237187f16364" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_IntersegmentSalesMember_e7e2caf9-9789-450c-8209-be090cd33f11" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_IntersegmentSalesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_07c4e276-454e-475d-9402-fca8bb778f13" xlink:to="loc_noc_IntersegmentSalesMember_e7e2caf9-9789-450c-8209-be090cd33f11" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_b216a26c-9898-43b1-94fb-56121e15378f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEntityWideRevenueByMajorCustomersByReportingSegmentsTable_27e86a51-445e-4af7-a47f-32064ab94194" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_b216a26c-9898-43b1-94fb-56121e15378f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_b216a26c-9898-43b1-94fb-56121e15378f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_b216a26c-9898-43b1-94fb-56121e15378f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_b216a26c-9898-43b1-94fb-56121e15378f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_731fcbcc-d69c-4b42-b022-398c9db8704d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_b216a26c-9898-43b1-94fb-56121e15378f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_731fcbcc-d69c-4b42-b022-398c9db8704d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_AeronauticsSystemsMember_a163ea27-ce6e-432d-8ab6-bd561856013c" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_AeronauticsSystemsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_731fcbcc-d69c-4b42-b022-398c9db8704d" xlink:to="loc_noc_AeronauticsSystemsMember_a163ea27-ce6e-432d-8ab6-bd561856013c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_DefenseSystemsMember_49240f45-a980-421d-af99-2d938528b416" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_DefenseSystemsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_731fcbcc-d69c-4b42-b022-398c9db8704d" xlink:to="loc_noc_DefenseSystemsMember_49240f45-a980-421d-af99-2d938528b416" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_MissionSystemsMember_b46acdb9-9631-4912-a776-b684db2d9a57" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_MissionSystemsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_731fcbcc-d69c-4b42-b022-398c9db8704d" xlink:to="loc_noc_MissionSystemsMember_b46acdb9-9631-4912-a776-b684db2d9a57" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_SpaceSystemsMember_c8952fca-8825-4e98-9ef7-357d044b9d35" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_SpaceSystemsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_731fcbcc-d69c-4b42-b022-398c9db8704d" xlink:to="loc_noc_SpaceSystemsMember_c8952fca-8825-4e98-9ef7-357d044b9d35" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/SegmentInformationSalesbyContractTypeDetails3" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#SegmentInformationSalesbyContractTypeDetails3"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/SegmentInformationSalesbyContractTypeDetails3" xlink:type="extended" id="iae276cb4e208486fbe1c469069bb1187_SegmentInformationSalesbyContractTypeDetails3">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemLineItems_b0da248d-4ed2-4f73-bb9e-6a2d3f9f24f2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_87effff6-0b4a-4ad8-975d-387fac3c8eba" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_Revenues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemLineItems_b0da248d-4ed2-4f73-bb9e-6a2d3f9f24f2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_87effff6-0b4a-4ad8-975d-387fac3c8eba" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_RevenuefromContractwithCustomerPercentage_123775c9-78f5-4ee6-8127-3a4e69206c84" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_RevenuefromContractwithCustomerPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemLineItems_b0da248d-4ed2-4f73-bb9e-6a2d3f9f24f2" xlink:to="loc_noc_RevenuefromContractwithCustomerPercentage_123775c9-78f5-4ee6-8127-3a4e69206c84" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReconciliationOfRevenueFromSegmentsToConsolidatedTable_b5432760-0499-47e1-a75c-19313e9210b1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ReconciliationOfRevenueFromSegmentsToConsolidatedTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemLineItems_b0da248d-4ed2-4f73-bb9e-6a2d3f9f24f2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReconciliationOfRevenueFromSegmentsToConsolidatedTable_b5432760-0499-47e1-a75c-19313e9210b1" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerBasisOfPricingAxis_1588e66e-a727-46f9-bcbc-d8619d1949a7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerBasisOfPricingAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReconciliationOfRevenueFromSegmentsToConsolidatedTable_b5432760-0499-47e1-a75c-19313e9210b1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerBasisOfPricingAxis_1588e66e-a727-46f9-bcbc-d8619d1949a7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerBasisOfPricingDomain_1588e66e-a727-46f9-bcbc-d8619d1949a7_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerBasisOfPricingDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerBasisOfPricingAxis_1588e66e-a727-46f9-bcbc-d8619d1949a7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerBasisOfPricingDomain_1588e66e-a727-46f9-bcbc-d8619d1949a7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerBasisOfPricingDomain_08c818c3-c4ff-43ec-a0a9-da861a93d5ce" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerBasisOfPricingDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerBasisOfPricingAxis_1588e66e-a727-46f9-bcbc-d8619d1949a7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerBasisOfPricingDomain_08c818c3-c4ff-43ec-a0a9-da861a93d5ce" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TimeAndMaterialsContractMember_37981dc2-cff5-4d1f-9456-2d66ea25376d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_TimeAndMaterialsContractMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerBasisOfPricingDomain_08c818c3-c4ff-43ec-a0a9-da861a93d5ce" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TimeAndMaterialsContractMember_37981dc2-cff5-4d1f-9456-2d66ea25376d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FixedPriceContractMember_4c6ea279-364f-4981-a191-6a4256659eb7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FixedPriceContractMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerBasisOfPricingDomain_08c818c3-c4ff-43ec-a0a9-da861a93d5ce" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FixedPriceContractMember_4c6ea279-364f-4981-a191-6a4256659eb7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_IntersegmentSalesMember_d3cb71b7-9805-4cc8-bd88-812d3f7a8bcf" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_IntersegmentSalesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerBasisOfPricingDomain_08c818c3-c4ff-43ec-a0a9-da861a93d5ce" xlink:to="loc_noc_IntersegmentSalesMember_d3cb71b7-9805-4cc8-bd88-812d3f7a8bcf" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_0093b6e0-37dc-4be0-a8ab-15529bafe732" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReconciliationOfRevenueFromSegmentsToConsolidatedTable_b5432760-0499-47e1-a75c-19313e9210b1" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_0093b6e0-37dc-4be0-a8ab-15529bafe732" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_0093b6e0-37dc-4be0-a8ab-15529bafe732_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_0093b6e0-37dc-4be0-a8ab-15529bafe732" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_0093b6e0-37dc-4be0-a8ab-15529bafe732_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_302af477-9a06-4149-a0d8-a61681189290" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_0093b6e0-37dc-4be0-a8ab-15529bafe732" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_302af477-9a06-4149-a0d8-a61681189290" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_c25c2a3f-eb65-4778-8f7c-d8c0075feae1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_302af477-9a06-4149-a0d8-a61681189290" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_c25c2a3f-eb65-4778-8f7c-d8c0075feae1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_779283a8-5dda-40cf-9ec5-edf540f91f27" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReconciliationOfRevenueFromSegmentsToConsolidatedTable_b5432760-0499-47e1-a75c-19313e9210b1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_779283a8-5dda-40cf-9ec5-edf540f91f27" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_779283a8-5dda-40cf-9ec5-edf540f91f27_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_779283a8-5dda-40cf-9ec5-edf540f91f27" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_779283a8-5dda-40cf-9ec5-edf540f91f27_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_062c69cc-c0b9-4274-82ac-194376a8bf41" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_779283a8-5dda-40cf-9ec5-edf540f91f27" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_062c69cc-c0b9-4274-82ac-194376a8bf41" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_AeronauticsSystemsMember_0a4fe44a-f9ab-4713-bef7-01786c6d9d4b" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_AeronauticsSystemsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_062c69cc-c0b9-4274-82ac-194376a8bf41" xlink:to="loc_noc_AeronauticsSystemsMember_0a4fe44a-f9ab-4713-bef7-01786c6d9d4b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_DefenseSystemsMember_e9e485e9-7268-4830-a2aa-452acebadd07" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_DefenseSystemsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_062c69cc-c0b9-4274-82ac-194376a8bf41" xlink:to="loc_noc_DefenseSystemsMember_e9e485e9-7268-4830-a2aa-452acebadd07" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_MissionSystemsMember_9a277806-4b10-44cc-bb0b-b71fafd17e19" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_MissionSystemsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_062c69cc-c0b9-4274-82ac-194376a8bf41" xlink:to="loc_noc_MissionSystemsMember_9a277806-4b10-44cc-bb0b-b71fafd17e19" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_SpaceSystemsMember_76297283-dbce-4345-aecb-fffd828de37a" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_SpaceSystemsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_062c69cc-c0b9-4274-82ac-194376a8bf41" xlink:to="loc_noc_SpaceSystemsMember_76297283-dbce-4345-aecb-fffd828de37a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/SegmentInformationSalesbyGeographicLocationDetails4" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#SegmentInformationSalesbyGeographicLocationDetails4"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/SegmentInformationSalesbyGeographicLocationDetails4" xlink:type="extended" id="i73dc6e85e835400a80fa9e1dafecfb9d_SegmentInformationSalesbyGeographicLocationDetails4">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems_fd2968a8-dccc-4c94-a796-1356bb4f2fe2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_dad25105-3a52-405b-88a6-670dc86a7876" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_Revenues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems_fd2968a8-dccc-4c94-a796-1356bb4f2fe2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_dad25105-3a52-405b-88a6-670dc86a7876" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_RevenuefromContractwithCustomerPercentage_f59387b3-32b2-431c-9f99-bed41558a25e" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_RevenuefromContractwithCustomerPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems_fd2968a8-dccc-4c94-a796-1356bb4f2fe2" xlink:to="loc_noc_RevenuefromContractwithCustomerPercentage_f59387b3-32b2-431c-9f99-bed41558a25e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsTable_53c5bd84-5522-4275-b3a5-d3e3b9be8e77" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfRevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems_fd2968a8-dccc-4c94-a796-1356bb4f2fe2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsTable_53c5bd84-5522-4275-b3a5-d3e3b9be8e77" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_81bc7325-8c48-4ad1-bd6a-843d80753b15" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsTable_53c5bd84-5522-4275-b3a5-d3e3b9be8e77" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_81bc7325-8c48-4ad1-bd6a-843d80753b15" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_81bc7325-8c48-4ad1-bd6a-843d80753b15_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_81bc7325-8c48-4ad1-bd6a-843d80753b15" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_81bc7325-8c48-4ad1-bd6a-843d80753b15_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_0cf1dc3b-4723-4b78-88f4-fbe778d52de7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_81bc7325-8c48-4ad1-bd6a-843d80753b15" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_0cf1dc3b-4723-4b78-88f4-fbe778d52de7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_AeronauticsSystemsMember_6b3c05fe-f97d-4c4e-a276-bb8d29ba66a5" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_AeronauticsSystemsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_0cf1dc3b-4723-4b78-88f4-fbe778d52de7" xlink:to="loc_noc_AeronauticsSystemsMember_6b3c05fe-f97d-4c4e-a276-bb8d29ba66a5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_DefenseSystemsMember_211c68ca-dd06-4bc0-8b90-e278574ad81d" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_DefenseSystemsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_0cf1dc3b-4723-4b78-88f4-fbe778d52de7" xlink:to="loc_noc_DefenseSystemsMember_211c68ca-dd06-4bc0-8b90-e278574ad81d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_MissionSystemsMember_df22e159-64f8-44f0-80bf-b6ed9bd21a79" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_MissionSystemsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_0cf1dc3b-4723-4b78-88f4-fbe778d52de7" xlink:to="loc_noc_MissionSystemsMember_df22e159-64f8-44f0-80bf-b6ed9bd21a79" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_SpaceSystemsMember_eb22abe1-561b-4b02-882b-c220ee688d11" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_SpaceSystemsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_0cf1dc3b-4723-4b78-88f4-fbe778d52de7" xlink:to="loc_noc_SpaceSystemsMember_eb22abe1-561b-4b02-882b-c220ee688d11" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_da2e90ea-b05c-4308-aa54-3aa5d9caeeee" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsTable_53c5bd84-5522-4275-b3a5-d3e3b9be8e77" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_da2e90ea-b05c-4308-aa54-3aa5d9caeeee" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_da2e90ea-b05c-4308-aa54-3aa5d9caeeee_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_da2e90ea-b05c-4308-aa54-3aa5d9caeeee" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_da2e90ea-b05c-4308-aa54-3aa5d9caeeee_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_2ec5b771-8e22-4284-9f3d-82d95de7f00d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_da2e90ea-b05c-4308-aa54-3aa5d9caeeee" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_2ec5b771-8e22-4284-9f3d-82d95de7f00d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_29d40fd0-d3b2-4b86-9465-734396ea7521" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_2ec5b771-8e22-4284-9f3d-82d95de7f00d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_29d40fd0-d3b2-4b86-9465-734396ea7521" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_999226be-64e4-431d-9b83-f666f772bc61" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_StatementGeographicalAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsTable_53c5bd84-5522-4275-b3a5-d3e3b9be8e77" xlink:to="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_999226be-64e4-431d-9b83-f666f772bc61" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_999226be-64e4-431d-9b83-f666f772bc61_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_999226be-64e4-431d-9b83-f666f772bc61" xlink:to="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_999226be-64e4-431d-9b83-f666f772bc61_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_2f970528-aca1-4753-bafe-74ba20bf1ae6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_999226be-64e4-431d-9b83-f666f772bc61" xlink:to="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_2f970528-aca1-4753-bafe-74ba20bf1ae6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_country_US_f87c8705-fb55-42a5-8eeb-9dea4c2aba99" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2022/country-2022.xsd#country_US"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_2f970528-aca1-4753-bafe-74ba20bf1ae6" xlink:to="loc_country_US_f87c8705-fb55-42a5-8eeb-9dea4c2aba99" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_AsiaPacificMember_9f028f5d-6e21-4a16-bac8-732f47a08238" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_AsiaPacificMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_2f970528-aca1-4753-bafe-74ba20bf1ae6" xlink:to="loc_srt_AsiaPacificMember_9f028f5d-6e21-4a16-bac8-732f47a08238" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_AllOtherGeographicRegionDomain_f3a12b55-1418-4728-986b-4fb395763a05" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_AllOtherGeographicRegionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_2f970528-aca1-4753-bafe-74ba20bf1ae6" xlink:to="loc_noc_AllOtherGeographicRegionDomain_f3a12b55-1418-4728-986b-4fb395763a05" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_IntersegmentSalesMember_3b1735db-7f56-470f-a52d-1dc45df02006" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_IntersegmentSalesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_2f970528-aca1-4753-bafe-74ba20bf1ae6" xlink:to="loc_noc_IntersegmentSalesMember_3b1735db-7f56-470f-a52d-1dc45df02006" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EuropeMember_e9ed4602-7554-4cb8-9fe8-8d6ba7e0a28f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_EuropeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_2f970528-aca1-4753-bafe-74ba20bf1ae6" xlink:to="loc_srt_EuropeMember_e9ed4602-7554-4cb8-9fe8-8d6ba7e0a28f" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/SegmentInformationIntersegmentSalesandOperatingIncomeDetails5" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#SegmentInformationIntersegmentSalesandOperatingIncomeDetails5"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/SegmentInformationIntersegmentSalesandOperatingIncomeDetails5" xlink:type="extended" id="i54bd7279a5e54d3a954b6a9d307c039c_SegmentInformationIntersegmentSalesandOperatingIncomeDetails5">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_cfad2116-22e7-4dfa-b322-a1bc240872ab" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_b7d5f54e-4a32-4616-941f-b7eb011204b4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_Revenues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_cfad2116-22e7-4dfa-b322-a1bc240872ab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_b7d5f54e-4a32-4616-941f-b7eb011204b4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationOperatingIncomeLossAbstract_97bf5d63-9cb8-4371-b4e3-1b639d42d004" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationOperatingIncomeLossAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_cfad2116-22e7-4dfa-b322-a1bc240872ab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationOperatingIncomeLossAbstract_97bf5d63-9cb8-4371-b4e3-1b639d42d004" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_b21d572f-8669-4630-b22d-2bf56dcc1659" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationOperatingIncomeLossAbstract_97bf5d63-9cb8-4371-b4e3-1b639d42d004" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_b21d572f-8669-4630-b22d-2bf56dcc1659" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_PreTaxGainOnSaleOfBusiness_5ef0d1b5-0825-4196-8eaa-ff8dd024f1ad" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_PreTaxGainOnSaleOfBusiness"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_cfad2116-22e7-4dfa-b322-a1bc240872ab" xlink:to="loc_noc_PreTaxGainOnSaleOfBusiness_5ef0d1b5-0825-4196-8eaa-ff8dd024f1ad" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_UnallowableStateTaxesAndTransactionsCostsFromDivestiture_998edac8-53b2-4b37-b61c-1e2f6f323615" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_UnallowableStateTaxesAndTransactionsCostsFromDivestiture"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_cfad2116-22e7-4dfa-b322-a1bc240872ab" xlink:to="loc_noc_UnallowableStateTaxesAndTransactionsCostsFromDivestiture_998edac8-53b2-4b37-b61c-1e2f6f323615" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_382d8b81-2dbe-4381-919a-ba7db933b449" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_cfad2116-22e7-4dfa-b322-a1bc240872ab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_382d8b81-2dbe-4381-919a-ba7db933b449" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_04d6610c-49ed-4ca1-8942-a65196788cbc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_382d8b81-2dbe-4381-919a-ba7db933b449" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_04d6610c-49ed-4ca1-8942-a65196788cbc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_04d6610c-49ed-4ca1-8942-a65196788cbc_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_04d6610c-49ed-4ca1-8942-a65196788cbc" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_04d6610c-49ed-4ca1-8942-a65196788cbc_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_423e49b3-ea4f-4179-a210-138facbd0486" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_04d6610c-49ed-4ca1-8942-a65196788cbc" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_423e49b3-ea4f-4179-a210-138facbd0486" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember_4cee5409-8576-444d-98a5-95fd0bb2cb08" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_423e49b3-ea4f-4179-a210-138facbd0486" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember_4cee5409-8576-444d-98a5-95fd0bb2cb08" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_ac3d9553-089e-4bcc-87d4-17802a68a625" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_382d8b81-2dbe-4381-919a-ba7db933b449" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_ac3d9553-089e-4bcc-87d4-17802a68a625" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_ac3d9553-089e-4bcc-87d4-17802a68a625_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_ac3d9553-089e-4bcc-87d4-17802a68a625" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_ac3d9553-089e-4bcc-87d4-17802a68a625_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_d49a7690-9042-4aa9-adf1-d0413bb0595d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_ac3d9553-089e-4bcc-87d4-17802a68a625" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_d49a7690-9042-4aa9-adf1-d0413bb0595d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_AeronauticsSystemsMember_985c604b-9efe-4c1f-a2a5-d970e42401c1" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_AeronauticsSystemsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_d49a7690-9042-4aa9-adf1-d0413bb0595d" xlink:to="loc_noc_AeronauticsSystemsMember_985c604b-9efe-4c1f-a2a5-d970e42401c1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_DefenseSystemsMember_a9a73dee-f6b5-4e02-932d-d1ebea1b6059" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_DefenseSystemsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_d49a7690-9042-4aa9-adf1-d0413bb0595d" xlink:to="loc_noc_DefenseSystemsMember_a9a73dee-f6b5-4e02-932d-d1ebea1b6059" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_MissionSystemsMember_feadba45-880a-4086-bc32-3a71020de5b2" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_MissionSystemsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_d49a7690-9042-4aa9-adf1-d0413bb0595d" xlink:to="loc_noc_MissionSystemsMember_feadba45-880a-4086-bc32-3a71020de5b2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_SpaceSystemsMember_f42874e2-e22f-4e37-99a3-c8a3c2ac57f8" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_SpaceSystemsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_d49a7690-9042-4aa9-adf1-d0413bb0595d" xlink:to="loc_noc_SpaceSystemsMember_f42874e2-e22f-4e37-99a3-c8a3c2ac57f8" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/SegmentInformationAssetsDetails6" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#SegmentInformationAssetsDetails6"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/SegmentInformationAssetsDetails6" xlink:type="extended" id="i4257cb4258654f6480452737d8c5905d_SegmentInformationAssetsDetails6">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_bd2cbc5b-b250-4532-8983-cd3488e8620f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Assets_b62aba30-f400-4d2f-a35d-82f44152e405" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_Assets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_bd2cbc5b-b250-4532-8983-cd3488e8620f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Assets_b62aba30-f400-4d2f-a35d-82f44152e405" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_e6072201-99f4-429d-a4a4-469ea13756ad" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_bd2cbc5b-b250-4532-8983-cd3488e8620f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_e6072201-99f4-429d-a4a4-469ea13756ad" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_e5ce8e48-0c55-401e-8f4d-9b2827856252" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_bd2cbc5b-b250-4532-8983-cd3488e8620f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_e5ce8e48-0c55-401e-8f4d-9b2827856252" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_7fd1d569-fa56-41c7-b29b-80e876602fc3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_e5ce8e48-0c55-401e-8f4d-9b2827856252" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_7fd1d569-fa56-41c7-b29b-80e876602fc3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_7fd1d569-fa56-41c7-b29b-80e876602fc3_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_7fd1d569-fa56-41c7-b29b-80e876602fc3" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_7fd1d569-fa56-41c7-b29b-80e876602fc3_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_5e81bf79-8e06-4963-838b-95c66b780ae5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_7fd1d569-fa56-41c7-b29b-80e876602fc3" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_5e81bf79-8e06-4963-838b-95c66b780ae5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_d03e82f5-54af-4214-a6f9-f93ba75ccebf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_5e81bf79-8e06-4963-838b-95c66b780ae5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_d03e82f5-54af-4214-a6f9-f93ba75ccebf" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_b73b53de-bfcf-43c0-a685-c71e6aaff047" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_5e81bf79-8e06-4963-838b-95c66b780ae5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_b73b53de-bfcf-43c0-a685-c71e6aaff047" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_68685fcb-e108-43cb-88fd-0a64806bdbf9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_e5ce8e48-0c55-401e-8f4d-9b2827856252" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_68685fcb-e108-43cb-88fd-0a64806bdbf9" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_68685fcb-e108-43cb-88fd-0a64806bdbf9_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_68685fcb-e108-43cb-88fd-0a64806bdbf9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_68685fcb-e108-43cb-88fd-0a64806bdbf9_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_358535f1-27ff-475b-97ca-a48dfeac69f5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_68685fcb-e108-43cb-88fd-0a64806bdbf9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_358535f1-27ff-475b-97ca-a48dfeac69f5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_AeronauticsSystemsMember_5733d617-d69e-43c4-99cb-01175aa4a329" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_AeronauticsSystemsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_358535f1-27ff-475b-97ca-a48dfeac69f5" xlink:to="loc_noc_AeronauticsSystemsMember_5733d617-d69e-43c4-99cb-01175aa4a329" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_DefenseSystemsMember_fef73369-26c4-4bee-973b-9e01a5a4f569" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_DefenseSystemsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_358535f1-27ff-475b-97ca-a48dfeac69f5" xlink:to="loc_noc_DefenseSystemsMember_fef73369-26c4-4bee-973b-9e01a5a4f569" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_MissionSystemsMember_fa8804e3-86a3-4e45-8e88-888e130555a1" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_MissionSystemsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_358535f1-27ff-475b-97ca-a48dfeac69f5" xlink:to="loc_noc_MissionSystemsMember_fa8804e3-86a3-4e45-8e88-888e130555a1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_SpaceSystemsMember_dd99dd76-bcbb-473a-95b9-cf57dbdfb86c" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_SpaceSystemsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_358535f1-27ff-475b-97ca-a48dfeac69f5" xlink:to="loc_noc_SpaceSystemsMember_dd99dd76-bcbb-473a-95b9-cf57dbdfb86c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/SegmentInformationCapitalExpendituresandDepreciationandAmortizationDetails7" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#SegmentInformationCapitalExpendituresandDepreciationandAmortizationDetails7"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.northropgrumman.com/role/SegmentInformationCapitalExpendituresandDepreciationandAmortizationDetails7" xlink:type="extended" id="if7df9106211d49068fc3e04f87b43884_SegmentInformationCapitalExpendituresandDepreciationandAmortizationDetails7">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_e74a6031-7cb5-4976-b15d-dc9ff513379a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationAdditionalInformationAbstract_04561762-ee27-4d5e-b103-b530eefc4b92" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationAdditionalInformationAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_e74a6031-7cb5-4976-b15d-dc9ff513379a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationAdditionalInformationAbstract_04561762-ee27-4d5e-b103-b530eefc4b92" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment_2ba1d40a-c779-4cb8-97e1-6bebf450785f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationAdditionalInformationAbstract_04561762-ee27-4d5e-b103-b530eefc4b92" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment_2ba1d40a-c779-4cb8-97e1-6bebf450785f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization_eda64e85-1354-4233-9221-41b1220baae1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationAdditionalInformationAbstract_04561762-ee27-4d5e-b103-b530eefc4b92" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization_eda64e85-1354-4233-9221-41b1220baae1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherDepreciationAndAmortization_ff6f3f93-18fb-4e76-a56e-d4b271a6f745" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherDepreciationAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationAdditionalInformationAbstract_04561762-ee27-4d5e-b103-b530eefc4b92" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherDepreciationAndAmortization_ff6f3f93-18fb-4e76-a56e-d4b271a6f745" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_1af4ad92-c153-47d1-bc4d-5ffac1ea035a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_e74a6031-7cb5-4976-b15d-dc9ff513379a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_1af4ad92-c153-47d1-bc4d-5ffac1ea035a" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_f6cc52d7-8436-42a2-a0b1-866a00fb0514" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_1af4ad92-c153-47d1-bc4d-5ffac1ea035a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_f6cc52d7-8436-42a2-a0b1-866a00fb0514" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_f6cc52d7-8436-42a2-a0b1-866a00fb0514_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_f6cc52d7-8436-42a2-a0b1-866a00fb0514" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_f6cc52d7-8436-42a2-a0b1-866a00fb0514_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_98b6d59c-dc0f-41dc-b64d-999924c1c3c4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_f6cc52d7-8436-42a2-a0b1-866a00fb0514" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_98b6d59c-dc0f-41dc-b64d-999924c1c3c4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_AeronauticsSystemsMember_a976dafa-07fe-45e9-94b2-b501bd851ba6" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_AeronauticsSystemsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_98b6d59c-dc0f-41dc-b64d-999924c1c3c4" xlink:to="loc_noc_AeronauticsSystemsMember_a976dafa-07fe-45e9-94b2-b501bd851ba6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_DefenseSystemsMember_14e6adfd-fed0-43b0-ba52-ca22578b9f98" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_DefenseSystemsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_98b6d59c-dc0f-41dc-b64d-999924c1c3c4" xlink:to="loc_noc_DefenseSystemsMember_14e6adfd-fed0-43b0-ba52-ca22578b9f98" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_MissionSystemsMember_070fcf03-d845-4b1c-b21f-43f7faa92471" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_MissionSystemsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_98b6d59c-dc0f-41dc-b64d-999924c1c3c4" xlink:to="loc_noc_MissionSystemsMember_070fcf03-d845-4b1c-b21f-43f7faa92471" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_noc_SpaceSystemsMember_e9110193-ba0b-4cfd-913a-d6505abdb06f" xlink:href="noc-20221231.xsd#noc_SpaceSystemsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_98b6d59c-dc0f-41dc-b64d-999924c1c3c4" xlink:to="loc_noc_SpaceSystemsMember_e9110193-ba0b-4cfd-913a-d6505abdb06f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateMember_d83b36c9-1744-411a-ba3b-2a8cfded15c8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_98b6d59c-dc0f-41dc-b64d-999924c1c3c4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateMember_d83b36c9-1744-411a-ba3b-2a8cfded15c8" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
</link:linkbase>
