US Navy boosts Northrop Grumman bomb fuze production as plant capacity hits 85,000 a year

The U.S. Navy is increasing the maximum value of an existing Northrop Grumman contract by approximately $97 million to support continued production of the FMU-139D/B electronic bomb fuze, the company announced October 29.

The device controls when and how a munition functions and is used on numerous U.S. and allied aircraft and various munitions. Production takes place at the Naval Industrial Reserve Ordnance Plant at Allegany Ballistics Laboratory in Rocket Center, West Virginia.

The contract increase extends manufacturing of the system as demand for munitions grows. Northrop said investments in automation and advanced manufacturing have expanded the facility’s capacity to as many as 85,000 fuzes annually.

Electronic safety and timing

The FMU-139D/B is a safety and timing device designed to help ensure that munitions function as intended. Northrop describes the fuze as adaptable and operationally proven, with applications across different aircraft and weapons.

The company said the system supports U.S. and allied forces in maintaining ready, reliable stockpiles. Its continued production contributes to the availability of a component used in the U.S. military’s inventory of air-delivered weapons.

The latest contract action supports further production of the existing fuze at the West Virginia facility, where Northrop has maintained a longstanding manufacturing effort.

Production reaches delivery milestone

Earlier this year, Northrop delivered its 200,000th FMU-139D/B fuze, marking a milestone for the program. The company cited that delivery as evidence of its ability to manufacture the system at scale.

At Allegany Ballistics Laboratory, investments in automation and advanced manufacturing technologies have increased efficiency and expanded production capacity, according to Northrop.

Those improvements allow the facility to produce as many as 85,000 fuzes a year. The company said they have also strengthened its ability to respond quickly during periods of increased demand.

The approximately $97 million increase in the contract’s maximum value supports continued production of the fuze at the same facility.

Fuze and warhead manufacturing

The FMU-139D/B is part of Northrop’s broader portfolio of fuzing and warhead technologies. The company develops these systems to provide precise, reliable effects tailored to different missions and operational environments.

Northrop said its campus combines capabilities in metals, electronics, composites and energetics. It describes itself as the only company bringing all four capabilities together at a single campus.

That combination supports integrated fuze and warhead design, alongside the development of adaptable systems optimized for performance, survivability, manufacturability and scalable production.

The company said these capabilities support current military missions, while the latest Navy contract increase extends production of the FMU-139D/B.

The delivery milestone and annual manufacturing capacity describe different aspects of the program.

The 200,000th fuze represents a cumulative delivery milestone, while the 85,000 figure describes how many fuzes the facility can now manufacture annually.

Northrop attributes the expanded capacity to investments in automation and advanced manufacturing technologies, which it says have improved efficiency and strengthened the plant’s ability to respond quickly during periods of increased demand for these systems.

Source: https://interestingengineering.com/military/us-navy-boosts-northrop-grumman-bomb-fuze