Northrop Grumman has been awarded a $200-million+ contract to manufacture XM1211 High Explosive Proximity (HEP) rounds for the US Army. The new medium-caliber ammunition is being introduced to strengthen the service’s short-range defenses against small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS), a threat that continues to expand across modern battlefields.
The XM1211 is compatible with the XM914 and M230LF Bushmaster 30mm chain guns and features an advanced proximity sensor that triggers detonation when nearing a target, maximizing fragmentation and lethality. The round was jointly developed with multiple US Army organizations, including JPEO Armaments & Ammunition, PM Maneuver Ammunition Systems, and the Army’s Combat Capabilities Development Command.
Initially fast-tracked in 2021 to answer an urgent operational requirement, the XM1211 is now entering wider production. Northrop Grumman is scaling up manufacturing across its facilities in Minnesota, West Virginia, and Virginia to meet heightened demand from US forces and key international partners.
In parallel with the ammunition program, Northrop recently completed a successful static test of a new solid rocket motor under the SMART Demo (Solid Motor Annual Rocket Technology Demonstrator) initiative. The tested system, known as SMASH!22, features a 22-inch (559 mm) motor built using improved materials and methods designed for faster production and lower costs. Data from this test will support development of the larger BAMM!29 2.0 rocket motor, scheduled for evaluation in early 2026. Both motors incorporate 3D-printed components and lessons from earlier propulsion programs to enhance adaptability and performance.
