Overview
- The government, which on Thursday announced an AU$126.9 million initial outlay, named Northrop Grumman Australia as its preferred partner for rocket motor manufacturing.
- Production of motors for the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System is slated at Mulwala by 2030, with a high-rate Rocket Motor Manufacturing Complex planned for 2033.
- Upgrades at the government-owned Mulwala munitions plant in New South Wales will be used to fast-track the setup of domestic propulsion lines.
- Northrop Grumman’s local chief said it is too early to forecast staffing levels or output and declined to set a contract or start date, noting prototypes must come first.
- Defence will explore novel manufacturing with DefendTex, Black Sky Industries and Anduril Australia, building on February’s DRACO motor static fire and April test-fires of Australian-assembled GMLRS rounds.