Northrop Grumman opens new hypersonic propulsion facility
The facility is the first of its kind in the US designed specifically for large-scale manufacturing of air-breathing propulsion. (Image: Northrop Grumman)
Northrop Grumman has opened a hypersonic capability centre (HCC) in Elkton, Maryland, to produce advanced propulsion solutions that can power hypersonic missiles beyond Mach 5, the company announced on 3 August.
The HCC establishes the infrastructure and capacity necessary to cost-effectively produce hypersonic propulsion at scale supporting the US DoD’s growing demands for long-range, rapid response weapons.
The facility is the first of its kind in the US designed specifically for large-scale manufacturing of air-breathing propulsion which includes ramjet and scramjet systems, Northrop Grumman said.
It will support the USAF’s Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile development and production and has the capacity to support future hypersonic systems work from across DoD.
Related Articles
Raytheon and Northrop Grumman set out ‘overmatch’ blueprint for hypersonic cruise missile
US Congress to cut budget of hypersonic programmes
Raytheon and Northrop Grumman awarded follow-on contract for hypersonic systems
‘This is a pivotal moment for hypersonic weapons; we have moved beyond building and demonstrating propulsion prototypes to large-scale manufacturing,’ Jim Kalberer, VP of missile products at Northrop Grumman said.
‘Our proactive investment in this facility establishes the supply chain and optimizes manufacturing processes to produce hypersonic systems affordably at scale.’
The company is also investing in a new missile integration facility at Allegany Ballistics Laboratory in West Virginia for the production of advanced defence and strike missiles, as well as expanding and optimising solid rocket motor production at its facility in Promontory, Utah.
More from Air Warfare
-
![Eurosatory 2026: Locally produced loitering munition destined for UAE Navy, says MBDA]()
Eurosatory 2026: Locally produced loitering munition destined for UAE Navy, says MBDA
The contract signed between MBDA and Fly-R will see diamond-shaped loitering munitions developed and prepared in the UAE. How does this move fit into wider market trends in the region?
-
![Eurosatory 2026: MBDA and Thales look to civilian industry for loitering munition scale-up]()
Eurosatory 2026: MBDA and Thales look to civilian industry for loitering munition scale-up
Thales and MBDA have taken steps to ensure the mass production of their respective loitering munition offerings at Eurosatoy, teaming with civilian manufacturers. These moves come amid France’s push towards sovereign drone production and continued market expansion.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: How the deep-strike, loitering munition market skyrocketed to $13.8 billion in three years]()
Eurosatory 2026: How the deep-strike, loitering munition market skyrocketed to $13.8 billion in three years
Ukraine’s rapid development of long-range, deep-strike loitering munitions has helped turn the sector into a market worth an estimated US$13.2 billion. The reasons behind this were outlined during Eurosatory 2026, as other countries embark on the early stages of procuring this capability.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: Why security agencies are expanding UAS operations across Europe]()
Eurosatory 2026: Why security agencies are expanding UAS operations across Europe
Uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) are an increasingly important tool for Europe’s law enforcement and public security agencies, with the past two years seeing rapid growth in operational deployment, procurement and regulatory acceptance.
-
![Fuselage of the first US Army MV-75 Cheyenne tiltrotor “is nearing completion”]()
Fuselage of the first US Army MV-75 Cheyenne tiltrotor “is nearing completion”
Bell is advancing construction of the US Army’s next-generation MV-75 Cheyenne tiltrotor as FLRAA programme approaches testing, production and future battlefield deployment.
