Global security technology company Northrop Grumman has secured an 8.8 million Air Force contract to enhance the firm’s hypersonics manufacturing technology initiatives.
Authorities indicated the funding allotment is via the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Manufacturing and Industrial Technology Division.
“Increased manufacturing capacity is key to enabling our nation’s need for cost-effective hypersonic production at scale,” Northrop Grumman Weapon Systems Vice President and General Manager Dan Olson said. “Through our partnership with AFRL and our internal investments in propulsion infrastructure and innovation, we are making hypersonics a cost-effective reality.”
The contract would aid in shortening production times and drive affordability with regard to hypersonic weapons in production, enabling the expansion of its hypersonic manufacturing and development infrastructure at the company’s Elkton, Maryland facility.
Northrop Grumman cited its ability to combine traditional manufacturing techniques with manufacturing approaches and digital engineering to reduce part counts, inspection, and touch labor. The method ensures the successful transition of hypersonic weapons from research and development to production.
Northrop Grumman recently marked the successful completion of the first and second flight tests of its scramjet-powered hypersonic weapon concept and was selected as a partner for the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile program.