The company said the low-risk design is being developed rapidly to allow the Navy to field the capability quickly and cost-effectively across multiple missions, including air warfare, surface warfare, land strike and ballistic missile defence. The Navy has also expressed interest in the potential deployment of the extended-range propulsion technology across various platforms.
Gordon LoPresti, senior director of propulsion systems and control at Northrop Grumman, said: “Being chosen by the U.S. Navy is an honor and a testament to our rapid development capabilities, production capacity and leadership in advanced propulsion solutions.” He added: “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 U.S. Navy to excel in its defense and deterrence missions.”
Continued design work and low-rate initial production of 60 units for testing and delivery will take place at the company’s Propulsion Innovation Center in Elkton, Maryland. Northrop Grumman said it has invested nearly $1 billion since 2018 to expand capacity and capabilities for weapons and missile components, building on decades of experience and the delivery of more than one million solid rocket motors.
