Northrop Grumman has successfully conducted the first full-scale propellant mix for its Next Generation Interceptor (NGI) solid rocket motors (SMR).
NGI is designed to protect the US from intercontinental ballistic missile attacks. It is a key element of the US Missile Defense Agency’s (MDA) ground-based midcourse defence (GMD) system.
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In a tweet, the company said: “We completed the first full-scale mix of the solid rocket motor propellant that will propel our Next Generation Interceptor programme forward.”
According to the company, the full mix was carried out using Northrop Grumman’s SRM manufacturing facilities in Bacchus, Magna, Utah.
It also noted that the operation will ensure that the SRMs for its NGI solution ‘are on track to complete qualification via static test’.
Northrop Grumman is one of the two firms that were awarded contracts last year to advance the development of MDA’s NGI programme.
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By GlobalDataThe company has strategically partnered with Raytheon Missiles & Defense, a unit of Raytheon Technologies, to deliver a solution for the MDA on an accelerated basis.
In June this year, the company’s team started fabrication of integral throat entrances for the NGI SRMs.
Northrop Grumman and Raytheon Missiles & Defense also support the MDA’s GMD system by providing ground systems, fire control and engagement coordination, the interceptor booster, and kill vehicle.
In the US, Northrop Grumman maintains and runs three remote automated 1,800-gallon SRM propellant mixers.
When integrated with proven automation capabilities developed by the company, these mixers aid in the manufacturing of high performing SRMs.
The other firm that won the MDA NGI contract is Lockheed Martin, which has partnered with Aerojet Rocketdyne for the programme.
