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Northrop Grumman’s Solid Motor Annual Rocket Technology Demonstrator (SMART Demo) is an annual outcome-driven investment strategy for inserting industry informed and cutting-edge advancements into solid rocket motor design, development, production and testing.

Powering the Future of Solid Rocket Motor Technology

Northrop Grumman Successfully Tests a New Solid Rocket Motor Developed in Less Than a Year

PROMONTORY, Utah – Dec. 8, 2023 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) successfully conducted a full-scale static test fire of a new solid rocket motor that was developed in less than a year as part of its Solid Motor Annual Rocket Technology Demonstrator (SMART Demo).

rocket motor being tested on the ground

SMART Demo

Northrop Grumman’s Solid Motor Annual Rocket Technology Demonstrator (SMART Demo) is an annual effort to design, develop, build and test a new solid rocket motor and its associated tooling. SMART Demo provides a platform for the company to demonstrate technologies that are the first of their kind for the solid rocket motor industry including, complex additively manufactured solid rocket motor components and tooling, alternative manufacturing materials, and advanced processes that can significantly reduce solid rocket motor costs and production lead times.

Each year the design, including configuration and performance, will be tailored to specific industry or warfighter needs.

rocket motor being tested on earth

Accelerating Innovation

SMART Demo delivers a cost-effective, adaptable solution for advancing solid rocket motor technology and processes by providing a flight relevant scale for testing new technologies and processes. By annually demonstrating advanced technologies, process improvements and designs that align with industry demands, Northrop Grumman will rapidly advance and mature new materials, technologies and processes to insert them into current and future production programs to meet the fast-changing needs of our customers.

Video: 2023 SMART Demo Static Test

The first annual SMART Demo successfully tested complex additively manufactured solid rocket motor components and tooling, alternative manufacturing materials, and advanced processes that will reduce solid rocket motor production costs, lead times, and strengthen our supply chain and industrial base.
rocket motor being tested on the ground

Advancing Solid Rocket Motor Supply Chain

SMART Demo is expanding and strengthening Northrop Grumman’s supplier base by streamlining the test and qualification of new materials, processes and additional suppliers who manufacture critical materials using fast and efficient processes.

Expanding Supplier Base and Industry Team:

  • Solid rocket motor material suppliers
  • Additive manufacturing experts
  • Manufacturers of high-temperature materials
  • Instrumentation and sensor leaders
  • Tool and machine companies offering innovative cost and time saving techniques and capabilities
  • Partners who want specific materials or designs tested on future SMART Demo motors

SMART Demo In the News

ROCKET MOTOR BEING TESTED

Northrop Grumman Completes First Use of Modular Tooling for Large Solid Rocket Motor Case

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