New Partnerships Aim to Boost Capacity amid Supply Chain Challenges
In a strategic move to enhance its missile production capabilities, Raytheon, the manufacturer of the Navy’s Standard Missile, announced today that it has awarded contracts to Northrop Grumman and Norwegian defense firm Nammo. The contracts pave the way for both companies to potentially establish their own production lines for the Mk 72 solid rocket motor.
Proving Capability and Design Verification
The primary goal of these contracts is for Northrop and Nammo to demonstrate their ability to manufacture a solid rocket motor that meets established specifications and to do so at scale. According to a news release from Raytheon’s parent company, RTX, the contract stipulates that the firms will “verify design requirements and specifications” for the Mk 72, culminating in a Systems Requirements Review to further refine each company’s design concepts.
Supply Chain Constraints Prompt Search for New Sources
Currently, the Mk 72 is produced exclusively by L3Harris, but supply chain constraints—driven by a limited domestic solid rocket motor manufacturing base—have compelled major defense contractors like Raytheon and Lockheed Martin to explore new sourcing options.
“These contracts are an important step toward increasing capacity and source options to meet global demand for critical defense systems, such as Standard Missile,” stated Barbara Borgonovi, president of Raytheon’s naval power division. “In addition to dual sourcing, we’re doubling down with support and oversight of our supply base and making strategic investments to address constraints and reduce risk so we can deliver more capabilities, faster.”
Rising Competition in Solid Rocket Motor Production
Nammo and Northrop are among several companies vying to become new providers for the Mk 72 motor. Notably, last June, the Navy granted contracts to startup X-Bow Systems for the development of a Mk 72 booster and a Mk 104 dual-thrust solid rocket motor, indicating increasing competition in this critical sector.
Raytheon and Nammo are also working to expand Nammo’s manufacturing facility in Perry, Florida, to facilitate the production of solid rocket motors, a plan they revealed in May 2024. Nammo currently supplies solid rocket motors for key missiles, including the AMRAAM, Sidewinder, and Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile from its production facilities in Norway.
