WASHINGTON - The Pentagon has been fretting that there aren't enough solid rocket motors to fuel its missile-buying spree. Northrop Grumman, one of the two dominant U.S. suppliers, says the real problem isn't factory capacity - it's that the government keeps buying rockets like it's shopping for groceries, one week at a time.

James Kalberer, vice president of Northrop Grumman's propulsion systems business, says manufacturers are ready to ramp up output, but annual appropriations and short-term contracts make long-term investments feel like a leap of faith. “With commitments to multiyear procurements, you’d see all parts of the ecosystem able to respond more quickly versus what has traditionally been done in year to year types of requirements,” he told SpaceNews.

The Pentagon has embraced multiyear contracts for some munitions, but those still depend on Congress not changing its mind - which, historically, it does. And while a prime contractor might have confidence in a specific missile program, a third-tier supplier making propellant chemicals may not be so sure. Northrop argues that longer demand signals would unlock investment across the entire supply chain, from raw materials to nozzle manufacturers to insulation producers.

Northrop has already committed over $2 billion across its munitions and solid rocket motor businesses in recent years, including more than $1 billion specifically for solid rocket motors. The company delivered roughly 13,000 motors in 2024 and expects to hit about 25,000 annually by 2029. And it's got room to grow: it currently produces 30 million pounds of propellant but has capacity for 50 million.

To speed things up, Northrop has an internally funded initiative called SMART Demo (Solid Motor Annual Rocket Technology Demonstrator), now in its fifth year. It tests new manufacturing methods, materials, and suppliers before they go into production, slashing the time from design to qualification from three years down to 12-18 months.

The Pentagon has also been sprinkling cash elsewhere - including a $1 billion investment in L3Harris's missile propulsion business. Asked if Northrop would welcome a similar deal, Kalberer declined to speculate, noting the company works directly with customers to understand critical needs.

Meanwhile, Northrop's rocket motors are under scrutiny after a second anomaly on United Launch Alliance's Vulcan rocket in less than two years, prompting a Space Force pause on national security launches. Kalberer says Northrop is working with ULA to get Vulcan back in the air. No pressure.