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Northrop Grumman has been awarded a fresh contract with the US Navy, valued at over $94 million for the advanced development and production in the second stage of its Solid Rocket Motor program.
Senior director of propulsion systems and control at Northrop, Gordon LoPresti, said “being chosen by the US Navy is an honour and a testament to our rapid development capabilities, production capacity and leadership in advanced propulsion solutions”.
“The successful development and demonstration of our SSRM in just 10 months showcases our unique, affordable and versatile extended-range capabilities that will equip the US Navy to excel in its defence and deterrence missions.
“We are eager and prepared to rapidly qualify and produce these motors in quantities to meet the needs of the US.”
The second stage of Solid Rocket Motor (SRM) production is set to be a “low-risk, rapidly developed design” that will assist US forces in extending hypersonic defence.
The SRM is made specifically with the intention of being used in extended range and speed missions across both land and air warfare domains, as well as in ballistic missile defence initiatives.
Development of the SRMs is set to increase in alliance with America’s bid to strengthen the homegrown defence industry. Propulsion manufacturing will occur across Northrop’s various production facilities in West Virginia, Utah, and Maryland.
The company said it is doubling its SRM production in Utah and increasing Maryland’s manufacturing capacity by 25 per cent.
Northrop has invested nearly $1 billion since 2018 in weapons and missile component production in order to meet the growing demand from global partners and customer demand from militaries around the world.
