Australia has formally appointed Northrop Grumman to help establish an indigenous solid rocket motor production capability for the country’s growing missile manufacturing sector.
Solid rocket motors are used in key precision-strike systems such as the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System and the Precision Strike Missile operated from the M142 HIMARS launcher.
The partnership will initially focus on planning and consultation activities aimed at defining production requirements and industrial processes for local SRM manufacturing. Northrop Grumman will contribute its technical expertise while helping integrate Australian suppliers into the future production ecosystem.
Canberra has committed an initial 126.9 million Australian dollars ($91.3 million) toward the effort, including upgrades to the Mulwala munitions plant in New South Wales to begin producing GMLRS rocket motors by 2030. Australia also intends to establish a dedicated Rocket Motor Manufacturing Complex capable of high-volume SRM production by 2033.
The initiative follows the Defence Science and Technology Group’s successful static firing of the indigenous DRACO SRM at Woomera Range Complex in February.
Alongside Northrop Grumman, the Australian government is working with DefendTex, Black Sky Industries, and Anduril Australia to develop innovative manufacturing technologies and strengthen sovereign production of missile systems and related subsystems.
