The US Navy has awarded Northrop Grumman a $94.3 million contract to develop a next‑generation solid rocket motor designed to boost the range and speed of the United States’ extended‑range missile systems, an effort driven largely by the accelerating global threat posed by hypersonic weapons.
The new 21‑inch second‑stage solid rocket motor (SSRM) is a “low-risk, rapidly developed design that enables the Navy to quickly and cost-effectively field an extended-range hypersonic defense capability,” the company said.
The program reflects Washington’s growing urgency to field propulsion systems capable of matching the speed and maneuverability of emerging hypersonic threats from China, Russia, and other adversaries.
Hypersonic weapons are capable of traveling at more than five times the speed of sound, and unlike traditional ballistic missiles that follow predictable trajectories, hypersonic weapons can change course during flight, making them extremely difficult to intercept with conventional air defense systems.
While they are not widely fielded, hypersonic weapons have become one of the most pressing challenges for Western militaries. The Pentagon has repeatedly warned that current missile defenses were not designed to counter such threats, making advanced propulsion a critical priority.
A possible answer to hypersonic challenges
Northrop Grumman describes the SSRM as “engineered to significantly extend range and speed across various missions, including air warfare, surface warfare, land strike, and ballistic missile defense.”
Initial production and testing of 60 units will take place at Northrop Grumman’s Propulsion Innovation Center in Elkton, Maryland.
As part of a broader push to modernize missile defenses, the US Navy has also expressed interest in how the extended‑range propulsion technology could be integrated across several platforms.
Gordon LoPresti, senior director for propulsion systems and control at Northrop Grumman, said that being awarded the contract underscored the company’s ability to move quickly from concept to demonstration.
“Being chosen by the US Navy is an honor and a testament to our rapid development capabilities, production capacity, and leadership in advanced propulsion solutions.
“The successful development and demonstration of our SSRM in just 10 months showcases our unique, affordable, and versatile extended-range capabilities that will equip the US Navy to excel in its defense and deterrence missions,” he said.
The contract comes as the United States seeks to strengthen its missile‑production capacity amid rising global demand for advanced weapons.
The new rocket motor is expected to play a key role in future missile systems designed to provide faster response times, greater reach, and improved survivability, capabilities seen as essential for countering hypersonic threats in the Indo‑Pacific and beyond.
Northrop Grumman, one of the country’s largest propulsion suppliers, has invested more than $1 billion since 2018 in expanding manufacturing capacity for solid rocket motors and related components. The company operates propulsion facilities across Maryland, Utah, and West Virginia, totaling 10 million square feet of production space.
It is currently tripling output of small tactical rocket motors in West Virginia, doubling large‑motor production in Utah, and increasing capacity in Maryland by 25% to support future high‑demand programs, including air‑breathing hypersonic propulsion (achieving sustained flight above Mach 5 by taking oxygen from the atmosphere).
Northrop Grumman says it has delivered over one million solid rocket motors over several decades, supporting both defense and space missions.
Strategic investment in counter‑hypersonic defense
The Navy’s decision to accelerate development of the SSRM reflects a broader shift in US defense planning, driven by the need to counter increasingly sophisticated hypersonic weapons being fielded by China and Russia. These systems compress decision‑making timelines and threaten traditional missile‑defense architectures.
China’s DF-17 missile system, first unveiled in 2019, features a hypersonic glide vehicle designed to penetrate advanced air defenses with a reported range of 1,500-2,000 kilometers. The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has also begun fielding the YJ-21, a ship-launched hypersonic anti-ship missile capable of striking at extended ranges.
Russia has similarly advanced its hypersonic capabilities with systems, such as the Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle – which can reportedly reach speeds of up to Mach 25 while performing evasive maneuvers – and the Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missile.
The Pentagon’s 2026 budget includes $6.5 billion for hypersonic and conventional weapons acquisition, with $3.9 billion earmarked for research and development R&D. Northrop Grumman said the program underscores its commitment to delivering advanced propulsion systems at scale.