These are challenging times for defense contractors. Years of war and a limp economy are putting new pressure on the Pentagon’s budget; the military is radically reshaping its arsenal. So Northrop Grumman’s technical services wing decided it needed a new promotional video, to hype how important it is to America’s national security. The theme: Northrop as a fifth column, within the U.S. military. "They could be anywhere among us!" one rattled man screams.

In other words… Welcome back to the Iron Eagles, our celebration of the awesomely bad videos of the military-industrial complex.

Now, give Northrop credit. Unlike so many other military marketing flicks, this one is well-produced. It’s got a wicked sense of humor and kitsch. And, if you watch to the end, you will get the message, that Northrop is "in a position to affect the performance of every warfighter the United States has around the world." But along the way, Northrop appears to reinforce every Mother Jones stereotype about a defense firm there could be: Unaccountable, omnipresent — and above all, filled with greed. Take this mini-scene, for example…

EXECUTIVE 1: Do you realize they have a stake in sixty-five cents out of every defense dollar spent? EXECUTIVE 2: Imagine investor reactions. EXECUTIVE 3:The amount of cash involved!

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