WASHINGTON - The United State's leading aerospace and defense firms saw increased earnings and profits in the last quarter of 1999, topping off yet another year of increased sales in the aerospace, defense and related technology sectors.

The exception was the mixed results announced by aerospace giant Lockheed Martin.

The company reported Friday fourth quarter earnings of $0.76 per share, as compared to 1998's $0.33. Net revenues were $293 million for the quarter. But the gains were generated by special sales, such as real estate and other one-time events, Some $102 million was generated by sale of the company's holdings in L 3 Communications.

Total revenues for the quarter were reported at $6.98 billion, down 3 percent from 1998. Total corporate revenue for 1999 was reported at $25.5 billion, also down 3 percent from the previous year. Total 1999 earnings were reported at $382 million, or 0.99 cents per share, as compared to $1 billion, or $2.63 per share in 1998.

Other major aerospace and defense players reported continued growth, fueled by increases in the U.S. defense budget and growth in commercial aviation, technology and commercial space sales. But some profits had cooled.

Raytheon reported total 1999 revenues of $19.8 billion, up 2 percent from 1998. But its diluted earnings were down, $1.19 per share as compared to $2.47 in 1998. The rise in sales was attributed to increases in missile defense work. Decline in profits was attributed to internal accounting changes, contract adjustments and pricing pressures.

Textron reported booming sales -- fourth quarter earnings of $1.12 per share, up some 51 percent from 1998's $0.74 per share. The growth was attributed to sales increases in the company's Cessna Aircraft division.

TRW Inc. announced record fourth quarter earnings of $164.8 million, up 48 percent from the same period in 1998. The earnings were reported at $1.33 per share, as compared to $0.91 per share in 1998. Most of the growth was attributed to the company's acquisition of LucasVarity.

Excluding that acquisition, the sales would have grown 2 percent over 1998.

Northrop Grumman posted record net income for 1999. The company said it had net income of $483 million for the year, or $6.93 per share -- a 149 percent increase over 1998. Northrop also reported cash generated during the year was $1.2 billion and a reduction of its corporate debt by $700 million, from $2.8 billion in December 1998 to $2.1 billion by the end of last year.

Their last quarter 1999 net income was $138 million, or $1.96 per share, compared to a net loss of $3 million or $0.04 per share in 1998.

United Technology Corporation, parent firm of rocket- and jet engine-maker Pratt and Whitney reported 1999 earnings had grown 19 percent, $3.01 per share on net income of $1.53 billion as compared to 1998's $2.53 per share on $1.26 billion in earnings.

Their fourth quarter earnings were up 21 percent, to $0.70 per share on income of $362 million before accounting charges were taken. Total revenues for the fourth quarter were reported as $6.5 billion, up 9 percent over 1998. Total 1999 income was $24.1 billion, a 6 percent rise over the previous year.

GenCorp, parent company of rocket maker Aerojet, reported a 21 percent increase in earnings, at $1.09 per share, as compared to $0.90 per share in 1998. Revenues grew 2 percent during 1999 to $1.07 billion over $1.05 billion in 1998.

The company said it expected increased growth in revenues at Aerojet in 2000, as well as improvements in reducing corporate expenses.

Overall, aerospace/defense industry growth contributed to a booming U.S. economic picture in 1999. The Commerce Department projected an increase of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product during 1999 of 5.8 percent, higher than analysts had forecasted and the biggest quarter gain since 1998.