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We Deliver World-Class Propulsion

With over seven decades of expertise and more than one million solid rocket motors (SRMs) delivered, we are a trusted leading provider of large, medium and small propulsion systems that are key enablers in deterring, defending and defeating threats, delivering cargo to space and propelling discovery.

Propulsion technology is the cornerstone of our nation’s ability to protect and defend the U.S. and our allies against adversaries in a dynamic threat environment. It is essential to missile defense efforts. It’s also the cornerstone for exploration into the vast unknown of space.

An Industry-Leading Propulsion Portfolio

Enabling critical national security, defense, civil and commercial space missions.
Minuteman missile launch at night

DETER

Propulsion that deters aggression
rocket missile launch

DEFEND

Propulsion that protects the homeland and allies
hypersonics missile flying above earth

DEFEAT

Propulsion that powers smart, survivable, lethal weapons to defeat complex threats
Gem 63

DELIVER

Propulsion that delivers payloads and people to space
Flames from SLS Artemis 1 Launch at night

DISCOVER

Propulsion that enables exploration and propels discovery

Propulsion for Any Mission

From a few inches to the largest segmented solid rocket motor ever produced, our SRMs fit broad customer needs across diverse mission sets.

Small Solid Rocket Motors

Providing affordable mass to combat dynamic threats

Medium Solid Rocket Motors

Delivering speed, range and precision for warfighters

Large Solid Rocket Motors

Building on our mission heritage to support human spaceflight and scientific exploration, as well as commercial launch service providers

Ready Now and Future Capable

Investing to further expand production capacity.

1.3M SRMs delivered

$1B invested in SRM capacity

30M lbs propellant per year with room to scale

Tripling tactical SRM capacity at Allegany Ballistics Lab in West Virginia

Doubling large SRM production at our Utah facilities

Quintupling delivery of high-speed and hypersonic propulsion at our Elkton, Maryland facility

Propelling Progress

Northrop Grumman is rapidly developing new solid rocket motors with continuous innovation. Using advanced propellant, robotic manufacturing and innovative data collection processes, we're perpetually iterating new technologies, reducing manufacturing time and delivering with agility and speed. As we expand production for the missions of tomorrow, we are developing in record time new rocket motors that can travel farther, faster and more affordably than ever.
launch of the Next-Generation Short Range Interceptor into blue skies

NOVEL PROPELLANT PROCESSING

In just five months, our engineers in Rocket Center, West Virginia, designed and delivered a 2.5-inch highly loaded grain motor that packs more punch. (Image Credit: Raytheon)
Northrop Grumman Successfully Test Fires Solid Rocket Motor for US Navy

ACCELERATED DEMONSTRATION

A team in Elkton, Maryland, took just 10 months to design, develop and successfully demonstrate a new 21-inch second-stage solid rocket motor for multiple-mission use.
close up of flames from rocket motor

DISRUPTIVE DEVELOPMENT

Monthly demos of disruptive propulsion technologies under our Accelerated Development of Advanced Propulsion Technology (ADAPT) program aim to enhance performance, producibility and cost.
Northrop Grumman Completes First Use of Modular Tooling for Large Solid Rocket Motor Case

RAPID ITERATION & TESTING

Our Solid Motor Annual Rocket Technology Demonstrator (SMART Demo) is an annual effort to rapidly design, develop, build and test a new solid rocket motor and associated tooling tailored to specific industry or warfighter needs.

Manufacturing Powerhouse

Northrop Grumman's 10 million square feet of SRM manufacturing space across three states is a national asset.

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Capacity for Today and Tomorrow

Since 2018, Northrop Grumman has invested more than $1 billion in boosting our SRM propulsion manufacturing facilities across the U.S. to ensure we have excess capacity today and room to grow tomorrow.
man working on solid rocket motor

2025: ABL Plant III Improvements

ABL Plant III Improvements
building with Northrop Grumman logo

2025: Utah Expansion Complete

military aircraft launching missile

2025: ABL Missile Integration Facility

Elkton Maryland facility

2026: Elkton Propulsion Innovation Center

aerial view of buildings

2027: ABL Plant V

propellant production

2028: Expanding Propellant Production

rocket motor test

2029: Boosting SRM Production

Propulsion Programs

Defense
Minuteman missile launch into blue skies

Minuteman III

missile launch from underwater

Trident II D5

Sentinel missile launch into sunset

Sentinel

rocket motor test

Second Stage Solid Rocket Motor (SSRM)

Second Stage Solid Rocket Motor

rocket motor test

Third Stage Solid Rocket Motor (TSRM)

Third Stage Solid Rocket Motor
missile launch from military vehicle

Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS)

Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System

missile launch from military vehicle

Next-Generation Short Range Interceptor (NGSRI)

Space
SLS rocket on launchpad

Space Launch System and Launch Abort Motor

attitude control motor test

Attitude Control Motor

flames from ULA rocket launch

GEM 63/63XL

rocket motor test

Mars Ascent Propulsion System (MAPS)

Mars Ascent Propulsion System

News

Propulsion Capacity Expansion
Northrop Grumman’s GEM 63XL Solid Rocket Boosters Help Power First Certified Flight of ULA’s Vulcan Rocket

Northrop Grumman’s GEM 63XL Solid Rocket Boosters Help Power First Certified Flight of ULA’s Vulcan Rocket

aerial view of buildings in Elkton Maryland

Northrop Grumman Continues Advanced Propulsion Capacity Expansion at Elkton, MD Campus

hypersonics facility

Northrop Grumman Increases Hypersonic Manufacturing Production Capacity and Affordability

aerial view of Allegany Ballistics Laboratory at sunrise

Northrop Grumman Expanding Capacity to Meet Global Security Demands

Northrop Grumman logo

Northrop Grumman Announces New Missile Integration Facility

five executives with shovels at a groundbreaking event

Northrop Grumman Invests in New Solid Rocket Motor Manufacturing Facilities in Magna, Utah

SRM Production & Performance
rocket launch test

Northrop Grumman Tests Most Powerful Segmented Solid Rocket Booster Ever Built

Northrop Grumman Completes Successful Precision Strike Missile Rocket Motor Static Test

Northrop Grumman Propels PrSM During Launcher Integration Test

rocket motor test

Northrop Grumman Successfully Test Fires Solid Rocket Motor for US Navy

Northrop Grumman Successfully Tests First Digitally Designed Large Solid Rocket Motor

Northrop Grumman Successfully Tests First Digitally Designed Large Solid Rocket Motor

Northrop Grumman GEM 63 Solid Rocket Boosters Help Successfully Launch National Security Mission Aboard Atlas V Rocket

Northrop Grumman GEM 63 Solid Rocket Boosters Help Successfully Launch National Security Mission Aboard Atlas V Rocket

Open Graph Image

Northrop Grumman Successfully Tests a New Solid Rocket Motor Developed in Less Than a Year

Northrop Grumman Completes First Use of Modular Tooling for Large Solid Rocket Motor Case

Northrop Grumman Completes First Use of Modular Tooling for Large Solid Rocket Motor Case

flames from ULA rocket launch

Northrop Grumman’s Solid Rocket Boosters Help Power First Launch of ULA’s Vulcan Rocket

missile launch from underwater

Northrop Grumman Successfully Powers US Navy’s Trident II D5 Flight Test

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