NGC to Produce High Explosive Proximity for the US Army

December 03, 2025

The U.S. Army has awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) a contract valued over $200 million to produce the XM1211 High Explosive Proximity (HEP) fuzed round of medium caliber ammunition. This award is a significant milestone in delivering next-generation munitions for short range air defense against small Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). 

• The XM1211 is a 30x113mm round integrated with a proximity sensor that only needs to get close enough to detect a target, at which point it detonates, sending fragmentation for defeat.
• Designed and produced in conjunction with the U.S. Army Joint Program Executive Office for Armaments & Ammunition, Project Manager Maneuver Ammunition Systems (PM MAS) and U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM), the XM1211 is ideal for use against small UAS and is designated for use with Northrop Grumman’s XM914, and M230LF Bushmaster® Chain Guns®.
• Northrop Grumman and PM MAS rapidly developed the round to meet an urgent materiel release in 2021 and are now accelerating ramp-up and capacity expansion to meet increased domestic and international demand. 
• Production will occur at Northrop Grumman’s facilities in Plymouth and Elk River, Minnesota; Allegany Ballistics Laboratory, West Virginia; and Radford Ammunition Plant, Virgina. 

Experts: 
Dave Fine, vice president, armament systems, Northrop Grumman: “As the only qualified producer of the XM1211 proximity round, Northrop Grumman is uniquely positioned to deliver this urgent need for advanced munitions with speed. Our partnership with the U.S. Army drives innovation and ensures that we meet the critical needs of soldiers on the battlefield today.”

Details:
For nearly 40 years, Northrop Grumman’s innovations in ammunition have led to cutting-edge defenses. Today, the company is adapting to emerging threats by developing new types of medium caliber “advanced” ammunition including airburst, proximity, and guided munitions to provide greater precision and the ability to counter unmanned threats and to defeat advanced armor.

Source : Northrop Grumman Corporation