Northrop Grumman builds Hypersonic Center of Excellence
The Elkton facility, which will support full lifecycle production for hypersonic weapons. (Image: Northrop Grumman)
Northrop Grumman has broken ground on a new engineering facility at Elkton, Maryland.
Northrop Grumman has begun the construction of a Hypersonic Center of Excellence to support the US military and its allies from evolving threats.
Northrop Grumman will provide full lifecycle production for hypersonic weapons, from design and development to production and integration.
The new 60,000 sq ft facility will feature state-of-the-art production technology and will implement digital engineering best practices that will result in increased agility and the ability to rapidly respond to changes in technology or customer mission needs.
There are plans to automate case preparation and non-destructive inspection technology, such as X-Rays, and deploy autonomous guided vehicles to improve safety and reliability.
Construction of the new facility is expected to be completed by 2023.
Rebecca Torzone, vice president, missile products, Northrop Grumman, said ‘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 as possible’.
More from Defence Notes
-
![What role could holographic and 3D capabilities play in the warfare of tomorrow]()
What role could holographic and 3D capabilities play in the warfare of tomorrow
Holographic and 3D technologies have been lauded by some for their ability to provide technical and operational advantages for military training and planning. But is the hype truly justified?
-
![Unfolding the Golden Dome for America: Seven things you should know about the programme]()
Unfolding the Golden Dome for America: Seven things you should know about the programme
Shephard talked to multiple experts about the most pressing concerns and considerations regarding the air defence system advocated by President Trump.
-
![Industry welcomes UK Strategic Defence Review, but pressure remains on future defence investment plans]()
Industry welcomes UK Strategic Defence Review, but pressure remains on future defence investment plans
While industry reception to the SDR has been positive, questions still remain from analyst and trade associations about what this could mean for future investment and the future UK Defence Industrial Strategy.
-
![UK Strategic Defence Review puts emphasis on autonomy, airpower and munitions]()
UK Strategic Defence Review puts emphasis on autonomy, airpower and munitions
The UK’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR) was launched as one of the first acts of the UK’s new Labour Government in June last year. The review has recommended a major big-picture reform of the country’s forces.
-
![Foreshadowing of UK defence review suggests it is light on programme details]()
Foreshadowing of UK defence review suggests it is light on programme details
The UK’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR) was designed to answer two questions: What is needed to fix UK defence and make it fit for the 2040s, and what do you get for a fixed financial profile? The SDR outlines that work still needs to be done on specifics.
