According to the website of "Aerospace Power Magazine" in the United States, an explosion occurred at the innovation system factory of Northrop Grumman Corporation located in Utah State on April 16 local time. One building was destroyed. The factory produces solid rocket engines for U.S. government and commercial customers.

The explosion occurred at 7:35 a.m. local time on April 16. Currently, there are no reports of casualties. Local officials stated that they are investigating this accident. Helicopter footage from a local television station showed that there was no open flame at the explosion site, but a large amount of debris remained.

Debris at the scene. Video screenshot

In the evening of the same day, Northrop Grumman Corporation released a statement saying: "This morning, an accident occurred in a building at our factory in Promontory, Utah. We are working hard to determine the cause. Employees working inside or near the building have been confirmed safe, and there are currently no major reports of casualties."

A spokesperson for Northrop Grumman declined to provide more information and refused to specify the function of the destroyed building or whether it was involved in the production of solid rocket engines. The innovation systems department of Northrop's company, formerly Orbital ATK, currently accounts for nearly 90% of the U.S.'s solid rocket engine capacity, providing support for the U.S. Air Force, NASA, and commercial space launch activities.

Reportedly, what is crucial for the U.S. Air Force is that Northrop Grumman plans to use its internally developed large SRM for the new LGM-35A "Sentinel" intercontinental ballistic missile. The U.S. Air Force plans to procure 659 "Sentinel" missiles, with 400 deployed in silos and another 259 used for development, testing, and capability demonstrations.

Northrop has consistently used its facility in Promontory for "Sentinel" missile rocket engine test firings. The most recent one was on March 6 when the company conducted a full static test firing of the first-stage solid rocket motor.

On March 6, the "Sentinel" rocket engine ignition test firing. U.S. Air Force

According to a February 11 report on the "Aerospace Power Magazine" website, the LGM-35A "Sentinel" land-based silo-launched intercontinental ballistic missile project, which is vital to U.S. nuclear deterrence capabilities, has been suspended by the U.S. Air Force due to severe cost overruns.

The U.S. Department of Defense withdrew approval for the "Sentinel" missile to enter the engineering and manufacturing development phase ("milestone B"). The U.S. military claimed that the main problems with the "Sentinel" missile project come from infrastructure construction overruns rather than the missile itself. At present, the development and infrastructure construction of the "Sentinel" intercontinental ballistic missile are estimated to exceed $140 billion, an increase of 81% compared to the estimated amount in 2020.

The U.S. military is negotiating with Northrop Grumman regarding the restructuring of the project, re-planning of ground facilities, and the introduction of competitive mechanisms.

Air Force spokesperson said: "Due to the ongoing development of command and launch components, the project has new requirements for launch facilities (LF). The Air Force instructed Northrop Grumman Corporation (NGC) to suspend design, testing, and construction work related to the 'Sentinel' command and launch components."

The spokesperson added: "As the Air Force restructures the project and updates procurement strategies, the Air Force Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Systems Council is assessing aspects of current development work that may be paused or stopped."

The LGM-35 "Sentinel" plan will replace the aging LGM-30G "Minuteman" III land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles starting in 2029 and achieve full operational capability by 2036. The "Minuteman" III missiles were all produced and deployed between 1970 and 1978. The U.S. Air Force currently has approximately 450 "Minuteman" III missiles, although they have undergone multiple life extension upgrades, they are still severely aged. The Pentagon has long considered the "Sentinel" program crucial for maintaining the land-based component of the triad nuclear force.

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Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7494102831721415187/

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