Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) and Chemring Nobel AS (CHN), a Norwegian-based specialty chemicals company, recently signed a 15-year sourcing agreement for high-energy explosive powder known as HMX. This agreement aims to support warhead production at Northrop Grumman’s Missile Products manufacturing facility in Rocket Center, West Virginia. The agreement, signed last month, strengthens the companies’ long-standing relationship and supports Northrop Grumman’s efforts to expand its munitions manufacturing capabilities in response to increased customer demand.
The long-term sourcing agreement ensures a reliable supply of HMX, with guaranteed lead times, annual quantities, and predictable pricing. This reliability is crucial due to the stringent performance, safety, and reliability requirements associated with HMX. Chemring Nobel, Europe’s largest producer of HMX, will be a key partner in meeting these demands.
Helge Husby, Managing Director of Chemring Nobel, expressed satisfaction with the agreement, stating, “As a supplier to Northrop Grumman for many years, we are delighted to have signed this long-term agreement. Chemring Nobel values this relationship and acknowledges the trust that this 15-year agreement places in us. We look forward to further developing our relationship and to providing a reliable security of supply.”
Stephen O’Bryan, Corporate Vice President and Global Business Development Officer at Northrop Grumman, highlighted the company’s commitment to supporting Norway and its NATO partners in ensuring the security of the High North. He noted, “Northrop Grumman is forging enduring partnerships with Norwegian industry, having awarded more than $500M in contracts in the last ten years.”
Earlier this year, Kathy Warden, Chair, CEO, and President of Northrop Grumman, emphasized the importance of trusted industry collaborations for regional security and NATO’s technological edge during her visit to Oslo. She met with Norwegian government and industry leaders to discuss security in the High North. This agreement follows the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Northrop Grumman and Andøya Space to support Norway’s Long-Term Defense Plan.
Northrop Grumman is a leading provider of advanced weapons systems, including hypersonic propulsion, armaments, components, missiles, electronics, and interceptors. The company has been producing tactical rocket motors, medium and large caliber ammunition, composite structures, mechanical and electronic fuzes, and advanced weapons for the U.S. and its allies since the 1940s.
