Northrop Grumman to fulfil full GMLRS rocket motor production
Northrop Grumman has delivered 15,000 motors and 20,000 warheads for GMLRS rockers. (Photo: US Army)
Northrop Grumman's rocket motors for the GMLRS rounds used by HIMARS and MLRS artillery systems use insensitive munition technology for additional safety,
Northrop Grumman will assume production of insensitive munition rocket motors for the US Army’s Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS), fulfilling the full contract production quantity. The company recently delivered its 15,000th rocket motor and 20,000th warhead to Lockheed Martin for final assembly.
'We are proactively investing in production facilities and technologies in support of producing even higher rates of rocket motors faster and more affordably to meet our customer’s anticipated demand,' said Jim Kalberer, VP of missile products, Northrop Grumman. 'We are leveraging our capacity and modern manufacturing facilities to deliver critical military needs.'
The propulsion systems, once delivered to Lockheed Martin’s Camden, Arkansas, final assembly facility, will be integrated into GMLRS missiles.
Related Articles
Finland approves acquisition of extended-range GMLRS rockets
Northrop Grumman speeds up additive manufacturing process for advanced weaponry
HIMARS production concerns prompt Poland to choose Chunmoo
Northrop Grumman's safety-enhancing insensitive munition technology provides the system with structural integrity under conditions such as heat, shock and adjacent detonations. The ignition safety device further improves the weapon system’s safety characteristics by preventing unwanted combustion.
GMLRS rockets are fired by both the HIMARS and MLRS launcher systems. Shephard Defence Insight lists Bahrain, Finland, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Romania, Singapore, the UAE and the UK as international customers for the munitions, and estimates the unit cost of GMLRS at $121,000.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
![UK artillery factory opens as defence review inches forward]()
UK artillery factory opens as defence review inches forward
The new artillery and howitzer factory pre-dates the emphasis on this capability from this month’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR). The first joint industry-government meeting outlined in the review took place this week.
-
![Refresh of Romanian army vehicles speeds up]()
Refresh of Romanian army vehicles speeds up
Romania received its first Cobra MkII 4×4 light tactical armoured vehicles, ordered Abrams main battle tanks (MBTs) and VAMTAC light vehicles, and is set to invest billions-of-dollars in infantry fighting vehicles.
-
![Italy begins hunt for Puma replacement]()
Italy begins hunt for Puma replacement
The Italian Army operates Pumas in 6×6 and 4×4 configurations but the platforms are ageing and numbers have fallen with obsolescence also being an issue. Any replacement is likely to have a focus on the involvement of local industry.
-
![Orders roll in for VAMTAC tactical vehicles as first is delivered to New Zealand]()
Orders roll in for VAMTAC tactical vehicles as first is delivered to New Zealand
The VAMTAC (Vehículo de Alta Movilidad Táctico or High Mobility Tactical Vehicle) 4×4 by Urovesa is in service with or has been ordered by eight countries, the most recent being Spain this month and Romania last month.
-
![Precision Strike Missile engine successfully tested from M270A2 launcher]()
Precision Strike Missile engine successfully tested from M270A2 launcher
Lockheed Martin’s Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) is a next-generation surface-to-surface missile with the solid rocket motor (SRM) provided by Northrop Grumman. The company is working to boost its SRM production capability.
-
![CV90 user group signs agreement to improve procurement and commonality]()
CV90 user group signs agreement to improve procurement and commonality
The CV90 is in service with or ordered by ten countries. The agreement between six of these countries is designed to create commonality to provide economies of scale and a reduced training burden.
