Northrop Grumman discusses supplies for US weapons programs — Breaking Defense
In Washington, United States, Northrop Grumman is actively negotiating to expand the supply of components for approximately eight weapons programs. This involves 10 agreements being discussed with various prime contractors, the company’s CEO Kathy Warden said at the Morgan Stanley conference, Breaking Defense reports.
According to Warden, the company offers partners solid rocket motors, as well as seekers, casings, nozzles, and fuzes. The Pentagon has identified increasing munitions production as one of its procurement priorities and is urging defense companies to invest in production capacity and equipment.
Motors for PAC-3
In August, Northrop Grumman announced its first framework agreement with the Pentagon. It provides for the company to become the second supplier of solid rocket motors for the PAC-3 missile of the Patriot system, while also increasing production of components for PAC-3 and THAAD interceptors.
Northrop’s version of the solid rocket motor for PAC-3 has completed full qualification, Warden said. The company is also at an advanced stage of negotiations on a contract with Lockheed Martin and is increasing production to meet increasingly higher delivery targets.
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Lockheed Martin funding
Lockheed Martin CEO Jim Taiclet said that the timing of budget approval does not have a significant impact on the company’s business because of its large order backlog. At the same time, he said, the US Congress must ensure full funding for long-term munitions production agreements.
These Lockheed Martin agreements cover PAC-3, THAAD interceptors, the Precision Strike Missile, and the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile. The company also reported that on August 28, GM Defense delivered the first batch of critically important components for PAC-3 — less than a month after the companies signed a formal contract on August 6.
Taiclet also said that Lockheed Martin is funding the initial production of the low-cost containerized GRIZZLY launcher with its own funds. The company plans to have several hundred such systems ready for deployment by the end of the year and is testing the launcher on autonomous Saildrone vessels.
