The world 's biggest defense contractor , in competition with Boeing Co ( BA.N : Quote , Profile , Research , Stock Buzz ) and Northrop Grumman Corp ( NOC.N : Quote , Profile , Research , Stock Buzz ) , is the first of the major military firms to report second-quarter earnings , which are broadly expected to be higher as Pentagon spending shows no signs of weakening , despite some concerns that the next administration will cut into some big programs .