Northrop Grumman Corporation has marked a significant acceleration in rocket motor development, successfully static-testing the first of two new motors designed and built in under 12 months under its innovative SMART Demo program. The firing of the SMASH!22 motor validates a new, agile approach to propulsion designed to dramatically cut costs and timelines for future customers.
The program’s goal is to deliver adaptable, tailorable motor designs that can be rapidly configured to meet specific mission requirements. “This milestone marks a key achievement in the project’s most ambitious year,” a company statement noted, highlighting the compressed schedule from design to delivery.
The recently tested SMASH!22 (Solid Motor Adaptable, Scalable, Half Time/Cost) is a 22-inch diameter motor that served as a proving ground for a suite of next-generation technologies. The test evaluated advanced manufacturing techniques, new material formulations, and additively manufactured components—all integrated to speed future development, enhance performance, and reduce overall production costs. Engineers collected a comprehensive suite of performance data during the static fire, which will inform the final maturation of these technologies.
The success paves the way for the next phase of the program: the static test of the larger BAMM!29 2.0 (Bombardment Attack Missile Motor) in early 2026. This 29-inch diameter motor represents a different performance class and will further demonstrate the scalability and flexibility of the SMART Demo manufacturing and design philosophy.
Both the SMASH and BAMM motors leverage Northrop Grumman’s extensive legacy in solid propulsion, while aggressively incorporating modern advancements. The initiative utilizes advanced digital tooling, a diversified supply chain, and lessons from prior programs to create a more responsive and efficient development model. By proving it can design, manufacture, and test two distinct motor configurations in under a year, Northrop Grumman’s SMART Demo program is demonstrating a new velocity in solid rocket motor production, aiming to provide tailored propulsion solutions faster than ever before.
