A Virginia-based company has successfully tested the first of two new solid rocket motors.

Called SMASH!22 and BAMM!29 2.0, Northrop Grumman’s motors are designed and manufactured in 2025 under the SMART Demo program.

This milestone marks a key achievement in the project’s most ambitious year by delivering both motors in under 12 months.

SMART Demo static test

Northrop Grumman maintained that the static test fire of SMASH!22, the 22-inch diameter solid motor is adaptable, scalable. The company evaluated several innovative incorporations such as advanced manufacturing and new materials that could speed development and production, boost performance and lower costs.

The company’s third SMART Demo static test featured propulsion technologies that address industry needs and can be applied to target vehicles.

Northrop Grumman’s Solid Motor Annual Rocket Technology Demonstrator (SMART Demo) is an annual effort to design, develop, build and test a new solid rocket motor and its associated tooling.

Test generated a comprehensive suite of data

SMART Demo provides a platform for the company to demonstrate technologies that are the first of their kind for the solid rocket motor industry including, complex additively manufactured solid rocket motor components and tooling, alternative manufacturing materials, and advanced processes that can significantly reduce solid rocket motor costs and production lead times.

The test generated a comprehensive suite of data that will further the team’s understanding of the demonstrated technologies. The second motor, the 29-inch diameter Bombardment Attack Missile Motor called BAMM!29 2.0, is slated for static testing in early 2026, continuing the momentum of the SMART Demo initiative.

The company claimed that the SMART Demo program is designed to tailor solid rocket motor designs to meet specific industry needs. Northrop Grumman developed both the SMASH and BAMM motors leveraging knowledge from previous projects while integrating advanced tooling, additively manufactured components, and a diversified supplier base. 

The company highlighted that the SMART Demo is an annual effort to design, develop, build and test a new solid rocket motor and its associated tooling.

SMART Demo provides a platform for the company to demonstrate technologies that are the first of their kind for the solid rocket motor industry including, complex additively manufactured solid rocket motor components and tooling, alternative manufacturing materials, and advanced processes that can significantly reduce solid rocket motor costs and production lead times, according to Northrop Grumman.

The company claimed that the SMART Demo is expanding and strengthening Northrop Grumman’s supplier base by streamlining the test and qualification of new materials, processes and additional suppliers who manufacture critical materials using fast and efficient processes.

Northrop Grumman stated that the SMART Demo delivers a cost-effective, adaptable solution for advancing solid rocket motor technology and processes by providing a flight relevant scale for testing new technologies and processes. By annually demonstrating advanced technologies, process improvements and designs that align with industry demands, Northrop Grumman claims that it will rapidly advance and mature new materials, technologies and processes to insert them into current and future production programs to meet the fast-changing needs of customers.