TRW

TRW Inc. was an American multinational corporation that operated mainly in aerospace and defense technologies, automotive components, and information systems. The name TRW is an acronym drawn from the surnames of the founders—Thompson, Ramo, and Wooldridge—who joined in the 1958 merger that formed the company. Over several decades, TRW grew into a major contractor for the U.S. government, developing guidance and navigation systems, sensors, space hardware, and other advanced technologies, and it contributed to numerous NASA missions and defense programs.

In the latter part of the 20th century, TRW expanded its activities across multiple sectors, including space and defense systems, which encompassed spacecraft components, national security programs, and related engineering services. The company also maintained a presence in the automotive industry through TRW Automotive, a division that produced braking, steering, and safety systems for vehicles.

In 2002, TRW underwent a major corporate reorganization when its space and defense businesses were acquired by Northrop Grumman for about $7.8 billion, integrating TRW’s technologies into Northrop Grumman’s portfolio. The automotive division was spun off as an independent company, TRW Automotive, which later became part of ZF Friedrichshafen AG after a 2015 acquisition. The TRW name thus became associated with distinct corporate legacies: Northrop Grumman’s defense and space systems, and ZF’s automotive technologies.