Defense titans returned to growth mode in the second quarter, and Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC) was among the companies leading the charge.

Shares of Northrop gained 11.1% in July, according to data provided by S&P Global Market Intelligence, after the company reported better-than-expected second-quarter results.

Northrop Grumman is one of the world's premier defense companies, with a portfolio of aviation, space, and missiles that are sold to the U.S. government and allies around the world. But defense is a long-cycled business, and new programs can take years to generate revenue, creating a recent lull in Northrop shares.

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Source Fool.com