Northrop Grumman has efficiently accomplished its second Stable Motor Annual Rocket Know-how Demonstrator (SMART Demo) static check at its facility in Promontory, Utah, US.
The total-scale hearth check of a brand new strong rocket motor demonstrated new applied sciences, together with different supplies and manufacturing strategies.
It featured additive manufacturing to develop important tooling parts and the motor’s main nozzle construction, showcasing the potential for extra fast manufacturing cycles within the aerospace {industry}.
The demo additionally explored different suppliers and examined new supplies that might alleviate provide chain constraints by changing or supplementing different long-lead supplies.
As well as, Northrop Grumman launched new robotic manufacturing processes geared toward enhancing reliability whereas concurrently driving down prices and manufacturing schedules.
Northrop Grumman propulsion techniques vp Jim Kalberer mentioned: “Northrop Grumman’s second SMART Demo motor, and the improvements we pursue with the company-funded effort annually, are enabling us to maneuver sooner than ever. We’ve efficiently demonstrated industry-informed improvements that may speed up manufacturing, strengthen provide chains and scale back strong rocket motor prices.”
The corporate plans to proceed executing the SMART Demo yearly as a part of its ongoing funding in strong rocket motor improvement and propulsion know-how.
The applied sciences and processes confirmed by way of SMART Demo could possibly be instrumental in large-scale manufacturing for initiatives just like the Golden Dome for America missile defence system, said the corporate.
The programme additionally goals to increase Northrop Grumman’s provider base by simplifying the check and qualification course of for brand spanking new supplies, processes, and alternate suppliers.
This strategy may result in extra environment friendly manufacturing strategies for essential supplies, based on the corporate.
Northrop Grumman has almost 100,000 staff and greater than 30 million sq. toes of producing house.
In March 2025, Northrop Grumman and the US Air Force conducted a full-scale qualification static fire test of the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile’s (ICBM) stage-one strong gasoline rocket motor.
