Northrop Grumman building lifecycle production facility for hypersonic weapons

Northrop Grumman Corporation announced Tuesday that its Hypersonics Center of Excellence is currently under construction and once completed, would support the nation’s military and allies in combating threats.

The 60,000-square-foot site in Elkton, Md., would offer production for hypersonic weapons, spanning from design and development to production and integration.

“Hypersonic weapons protect our warfighters by offering higher speeds, longer ranges, optimal performance, and the ability to combat a threat with as much distance in between them and the threat as possible,” Rebecca Torzone, vice president, missile products, Northrop Grumman, said. “Our new hypersonics production facility will optimize our development efficiency, drive affordability, and ultimately deliver weapons to our warfighters faster.”

The scope of work at the new venue, which is slated for completion by 2023, includes automated case preparation and non-destructive inspection technology, in addition to the deployment of autonomous guided vehicles to enhance safety and reliability.

Per Northrop Grumman, the site is expected to enhance demand for additional technically skilled and high-wage jobs, engineers, and other professional roles.

The company noted the Elkton campus designs and manufactures systems and controls for some of the nation’s most complex defense and space systems while Northrop Grumman, as a whole, addresses the problems in space, aeronautics, defense, and cyberspace to meet the evolving needs of customers globally.