Northrop Grumman Corporation has successfully completed its second full-scale static test fire of a new solid rocket motor developed in less than a year. The test is part of the company’s Solid Motor Annual Rocket Technology Demonstrator (SMART Demo) program and marks a major step forward in propulsion innovation, manufacturing efficiency, and supply chain resilience.
The SMART Demo motor test validated several breakthrough technologies and alternative processes, including:
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Additive manufacturing for producing long-lead tooling components and the motor’s primary nozzle structure
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A cost-effective and high-performance propellant, engineered for wide temperature operation across multiple launch platforms
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Use of alternative suppliers and new materials to ease supply chain bottlenecks and reduce reliance on scarce resources
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Introduction of new robotic manufacturing processes to enhance reliability while reducing cost and production time
“Northrop Grumman’s second SMART Demo motor, and the innovations we pursue with the company-funded effort each year, are enabling us to move faster than ever,” said Jim Kalberer, vice president, propulsion systems, Northrop Grumman.
“We’ve successfully demonstrated industry-informed innovations that can accelerate production, strengthen supply chains and reduce solid rocket motor costs.”
The SMART Demo programme is designed to cut development times and costs while improving performance. It includes the end-to-end development of a new solid rocket motor, encompassing design, tooling, build, and testing. Insights gained are expected to enhance both new and existing production lines.
Critically, the technologies demonstrated have potential applications for large-scale solid rocket motor production, including use in the Golden Dome for America missile defence initiative.
The initiative also enables faster qualification of new materials, manufacturing processes, and suppliers, strengthening Northrop Grumman’s industrial base.
With a workforce of nearly 100,000 and more than 30 million square feet of manufacturing space, Northrop Grumman continues to invest in U.S. defence infrastructure, R&D, and its supplier ecosystem to meet evolving national security needs.
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