Peter Graham
Lockheed Martin has awarded Northrop Grumman a contract to produce an insensitive munitions technology for integration into a weapons system designed to help the U.S. Army fire surface-to-surface rockets.
Northrop said Monday it will provide IM motors for the service branch’s Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System program to help increase warfighter safety and minimize collateral damage.
The company uses passive thermal mitigation techniques, composite cases for mass manufacturing and low-sensitivity propellants to engineer IM propulsion systems.
Northrop is scheduled to open an expanded tactical motor factory at the Allegany Ballistics Laboratory in Virginia this fall as part of efforts to address Army’s rocket motor demand.
The Falls Church, Va.-based defense contractor has also developed a rocket motor technology for potential military use.
Lockheed received a potential $828M contract from the Army in late April for the production of GMLRS rockets and associated equipment.
