Modular Tooling Helps Northrop Assemble Rocket Motors

PROMONTORY, UT—Northrop Grumman Corp. is using innovative modular tooling to manufacture large composite cases for solid rocket motors.

Northrop’s modular mandrel tooling can change in shape and size, allowing the defense contractor to make rocket motor cases of varying length and diameter. The capability of the hardware to support multiple designs with varying dimensions allows engineers to quickly implement new case designs or modify existing ones to accommodate changes during design and production.

It’s the first time that Northrop has used such tooling to make large-scale rocket motor cases. The technology promises to reduce development costs and lead times for rocket motors by more than 50 percent by eliminating the procurement of long-lead tooling and enabling rapid progression from design to manufacturing.