PROMONTORY, Utah – Northrop Grumman Corporation successfully conducted its second full-scale static test fire of a new solid rocket motor developed in less than a year, as part of the company’s Solid Motor Annual Rocket Technology Demonstrator (SMART Demo).
The SMART Demo motor demonstrated several innovative technologies and alternate manufacturing materials and processes, including:
• Additive manufacturing was used to produce long-lead tooling components and the motor’s primary nozzle structure.
• An improved, cost-effective and versatile solid rocket motor propellant, capable of operating over a wide temperature range to support various launch platforms and applications.
• Alternative suppliers and new materials to supplement or replace other long-lead materials and ease supply chain bottlenecks.
• New robotic processes during manufacturing to increase reliability while reducing cost and schedule.
Jim Kalberer, vice president, propulsion systems, Northrop Grumman: “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. We’ve successfully demonstrated industry-informed innovations that can accelerate production, strengthen supply chains and reduce solid rocket motor costs.”
SMART Demo shows the effective implementation of new solid rocket motor technologies, materials and processes to reduce development time and costs and improve motor performance. The efforts include the design, development, building and testing of a new solid rocket motor, as well as its associated advanced tooling and technologies. These new technologies enable innovative development programs, providing existing production programs learning and implementation opportunities to reduce production time and cost.
Northrop Grumman plans to execute SMART Demo annually as the company continues to invest and advance in solid rocket motor development and propulsion.
