Northrop Grumman, Hanwha to develop rocket booster for AReS extended-range strike weapon system

April 24, 2026, by Fatima Bahtić

Northrop Grumman and Hanwha Aerospace signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to collaborate on the development of a first-stage solid rocket booster for Northrop Grumman’s advanced reactive strike (AReS) capability.

As disclosed, the agreement covers the initial phase of collaboration for the development of the rocket booster. AReS is a deployable, surface-launched, extended-range weapon system that provides stand-off strike capability in high-contested and denied environments.

“In today’s environment of rapidly evolving air and sea threats, advancing weapon systems that ensure dominance for the U.S. and its allies is critical. This MOA with Hanwha reinforces Northrop Grumman’s commitment to collaborating with the Korean industrial base to deliver innovative, cost-effective solutions that outpace emerging threats,” Frank Morley, vice president, international business development, Northrop Grumman, stated.

“As the battlefield evolves and our adversaries develop advanced capabilities, a strong industrial base is critical to helping the U.S. and its allies deter modern threats. We look forward to continuing our collaboration on AReS in partnership with Northrop Grumman, and leveraging Hanwha’s global industrial scale and advanced manufacturing in this critical effort,” Michael Coulter, chief executive officer, Hanwha Defense USA, added.

Last month, the US Navy awarded Northrop Grumman a contract modification for up to nine additional Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program (SEWIP) Block 3 systems. The latest award brings the total number of SEWIP Block 3 units under contract to as many as 24, underscoring the navy’s continued investment in advanced electronic warfare systems designed to counter increasingly sophisticated missile threats.