Northrop Grumman Corporation has showcased its 2024 Solid Motor Annual Rocket Technology Demonstrator (SMART Demo) solid rocket motor case, employing an innovative modular tooling approach for the manufacturing of large composite solid rocket motor (SRM) cases.
This advanced technique, known as modular mandrel tooling, allows for the equipment and hardware to be easily adjusted in shape and size, accommodating various case lengths and diameters. The ability to quickly adapt the hardware to support multiple designs and dimensions facilitates rapid implementation of new case designs and modifications during both the design and production phases.
This first application of modular tooling for large SRMs promises to cut development costs and lead times by over 50%, eliminating the need for long lead tooling and enabling a faster transition from design to manufacturing.
