Northrop Opens First U.S. Facility for Large-scale Production of Hypersonic Propulsion Systems

Northrop Grumman has opened a Hypersonics Capability Center (HCC) in Elkton, Maryland to produce advanced propulsion solutions that can power hypersonic missiles beyond Mach 5.

The HCC is the first U.S. facility designed specifically for large-scale manufacturing of air-breathing propulsion which includes ramjet and scramjet propulsion.

The facility will support the U.S. Air Force’s Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile  development and production and has capacity to support future hypersonic systems work from across DoD.

The HCC features production technology, implements digital engineering and consolidates engine manufacturing processes, supporting cost reduction and increased production.

The company is also investing in a new missile integration facility at Allegany Ballistics Laboratory in West Virginia for production of advanced defense and strike missiles, as well as expanding and optimizing solid rocket motor production at its facility in Promontory, Utah.