Hanwha Aerospace will join global defense contractor Northrop Grumman to co-develop a new long-range missile system.
Hanwha Aerospace said on Apr. 21 (local time) that it signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Northrop Grumman at the Sea-Air-Space 2026 exhibition in National Harbor, Maryland, to cooperate on developing the first-stage solid-fuel booster for the AReS missile system.
AReS is a ground-launched long-range missile weapon system that Northrop Grumman is newly developing. It is known to require advanced propulsion for rapid launch after swift maneuvering.
Through this agreement, Hanwha Aerospace will take part from the early phase of developing the first-stage rocket booster for AReS. The plan is to accelerate the development and mass production of the weapon system by leveraging Hanwha Aerospace's global manufacturing capacity and advanced production technologies. The jointly developed new system is aiming for a demonstration in 2027.
A Hanwha Aerospace official said, "In the rapidly changing landscape of modern warfare, a strong defense industrial base is key for the United States and its allies to secure deterrence," adding, "Through this collaboration, we will further advance our technology and manufacturing capabilities to enter the U.S. defense market."
A Northrop Grumman official said, "In an environment where air and maritime threats are evolving rapidly, developing weapon systems that ensure the United States and its allies maintain superiority is crucial," adding, "By working with Hanwha Aerospace, we will deliver innovative and cost-efficient solutions."