Fourth quarter profits for Northrop Grumman Corp. jumped 71 percent over a year ago due to earnings from its recently acquired Newport News Shipbuilding unit, company officials said Jan. 28.

Earnings for the former TRW military and space units, which were acquired in mid December, were not included in the 2002 results.

Net income for the fourth quarter rose from $131 million a year ago to $224 million. Sales for the quarter rose 17 percent, from $4.1 billion a year ago to $4.8 billion. Excluding gains and losses from discontinued operations, the company reported earnings of $226 million for the quarter, compared with $195 million a year ago.

In a conference call with investors and analysts, company Chairman and CEO Kent Kresa said the acquisition of TRW was the "capstone" of efforts to transform the company over the past decade.