Northrop Grumman has completed its second full-scale static firing of a new solid rocket motor under the Solid Motor Annual Rocket Technology Demonstrator (SMART Demo) program, achieving the milestone in under 12 months of development. The company-funded initiative tests advanced materials, manufacturing methods and propulsion innovations.

The latest SMART Demo motor incorporated additive manufacturing for primary nozzle structures and long-lead tooling, a cost-effective propellant with broad temperature tolerance, alternative suppliers and materials to alleviate supply bottlenecks, and robotic manufacturing processes to boost reliability while cutting time and expense.

"Northrop Grumman's second SMART Demo motor, and the innovations we pursue with the company-funded effort each year, ar

See Full Page