May 20, 2015: Northrop Grumman Corporation has appointed Sonal B. Deshpande vice president of mission assurance for the company's Linthicum-based Electronic Systems sector.

In this position, Deshpande is responsible for mission assurance across the sector for all programs, including quality and product assurance, compliance, process excellence and supplier mission assurance. She reports to Gloria A. Flach, corporate vice president and president, Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems.

Deshpande joined Northrop Grumman in 1986 and has held a number of leadership roles in sector program and functional organizations. She previously served as director of the Cobra Judy Replacement program; vice president, Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems logistics services; and vice president, Advanced Maritime & IAMD (integrated air and missile defense) systems. Most recently, she served as vice president, Engineering, Manufacturing & Logistics for the Airborne ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) and Targeting Systems and Space ISR Systems Divisions.

Deshpande earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the University of Maryland and a master's degree in electrical engineering from Johns Hopkins University. She has also completed the General Managers Program at Harvard Business School.