Propelling Space and Defense Missions

By Brooks McKinney, APR

Solid rocket motors are critical to space and defense missions because of their long shelf life and ability to be launched with little preparation. Because of the way they are built, these motors provide fast ignition and heavy-lift propulsion with reliable, repeatable results. Without the most cutting-edge technology in place to support these efforts, producing our solid rocket motors would add significant additional testing and expense.

By designing, fabricating and flight testing — many of the solid rocket motors the U.S. government relies on have Northrop Grumman engineers at the forefront of the innovation while helping to keep us safe.

"Going from rocket motor concept to full-scale production is rarely a straight path, but solving the myriad puzzles along the way always makes the process rewarding,” said Mike Fuller, manager at Northrop Grumman.

Fuller's group manufactures Northrop Grumman's larger motors — those 24 inches or more in diameter — in Promontory and Bacchus, Utah, while rocket motors for tactical applications are produced in Elkton, Maryland and Rocket City, West Virginia.