Raytheon, an RTX business, and propulsion innovator Ursa Major have successfully completed a missile flight test of an advanced long-range solid rocket motor for the U.S. Army.
The collaboration showcases the companies’ expertise in digital engineering and their focus on rapidly advancing missile technology to meet national defense needs.
“These long-range solid rocket motors will allow the U.S. Army and allies to strike farther and faster than anything our adversaries have in their arsenals,” said Tom Laliberty, president of Land and Air Defense Systems at Raytheon. “This long-range rocket motor technology fills the essential role of providing affordable precision fires, while increasing range, safety, and magazine depth.”
The successful test highlights the strategic importance of innovative design and manufacturing processes, including the use of additive manufacturing. Ursa Major, which has conducted nearly 300 static test fires this year alone, is leveraging its capabilities to produce agile solid rocket motor solutions at an accelerated pace.
Dan Jablonsky, CEO of Ursa Major, emphasized the company’s role in delivering advanced propulsion systems. “The innovative manufacturing techniques we employ are yielding agile solid rocket motor solutions with the design flexibility needed to expand the capabilities of the U.S. military. Ursa Major is poised to scale the production of higher-performing solid rocket motors at the pace and volume the country requires and at a price the country can afford,” Jablonsky stated.
Raytheon and Ursa Major’s joint effort aims to redefine precision-guided munitions by creating a new generation of smart munitions that are significantly more affordable and capable than existing systems. The companies are addressing the U.S. Army’s demand for extended-range and cost-effective solutions, a need that has become increasingly urgent amid evolving global threats.
Raytheon has identified Ursa Major’s advanced propulsion technology as a cornerstone of its long-range missile systems. Moving forward, the partnership will integrate manufacturing enhancements, paving the way for additional flight tests in 2025 and system qualification by 2026.
The development is part of a broader push by Raytheon to advance missile technology through strategic investments. In 2023, RTX Ventures, the venture capital arm of Raytheon’s parent company, invested in Ursa Major to explore new rocket motor technologies and address national security challenges.
“Together, Raytheon and Ursa Major are responding to the U.S. Army’s urgent need for affordable precision-guided munitions by rapidly developing a new generation of smart munitions,” Laliberty noted.
The advanced rocket motor test marks a critical step toward fielding enhanced missile capabilities that ensure the U.S. Army and its allies remain equipped to deter and respond to threats effectively. Future development phases will focus on further improving reliability and cost-efficiency to deliver scalable solutions for modern warfare.
