A.W. Bell wins new Northrop Grumman global weapons contract

Precision metal engineer A.W. Bell has won a contract to provide its titanium casting capability for Northrop Grumman’s Global Supply Chain Program.

This non-recurring engineering contract has potential applications for Northrop Grumman’s Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile-Extended Range (AARGM-ER) program and helps to expand Australia’s own guided weapon and explosive ordnance (GWEO) manufacturing capabilities.

A.W. Bell said that it already provides products such as missile vanes, wings and fins.

A.W. Bell was recently recognised by Northrop Grumman for its manufacturing capability, winning the Supplier Excellence Award at the 2024 Northrop Grumman Supplier Excellence Awards for their contribution to the

Sam Bell, A.W. Bell CEO, said being recognised with the 2024 Strategic Excellence Award was a highlight, adding “we look forward to continuing our partnership with Northrop Grumman through our new titanium casting capability supporting GWEO and sovereign defence manufacturing in Australia.”

He said that this partnership has aided the company in expanding and strengthening its manufacturing capabilities internationally.

Jake Campbell, interim country executive, Northrop Grumman Australia said this latest agreement is a part of Northrop Grumman’s core focus of its Australian industrial approach, which is part of its wider Global Supply Chain Program.

Northrop Grumman signed its Global Supply Chain Program with the Australian Department of Defence in July, and since then has created more than $100 million in opportunities for small to medium Australian enterprises.

“This partnership strengthens our commitment to enhancing Australia’s defence industry capabilities and supply chain resilience,” he said.

It comes as Kongsberg Defence Australia breaks ground for its missile factory in Williamtown, near Newcastle in NSW, which will manufacture and maintain long-range strike weapons for the Australian Defence Force.

[Image: U.S. Navy. A U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet carries the AARGM-ER]