The Pentagon has awarded a $12.5 million contract to U.S. rocket propulsion startup Ursa Major to build out production and testing for new solid fuel rocket engines. This move is part of the Pentagon’s efforts to boost its supply chain as stockpiles are depleted from supporting Ukraine and Israel in their ongoing conflicts. The investment comes from the Pentagon’s Office of Strategic Capital.
The funds aim to enhance the defense industrial base’s supply chain.
Pentagon bolsters rocket production efforts
The Navy is also contributing to the contract, making the total investment $25 million when matched by Ursa Major.
The contract will support Ursa Major’s Advanced Manufacturing Pathfinder program, which includes the design, manufacture, and testing of a solid rocket motor prototype. This effort falls under the Office of Strategic Capital’s Transition Acceleration Program, created to fund the development of future defense products. Earlier this year, the Navy also awarded a contract to address increasing demand for the M104 engine, used in RTX Corp’s Standard Missile family of missiles.
Ursa Major’s contribution will focus on completing key aspects of its solid rocket motor capabilities, a crucial step given the Pentagon’s strategic interest in fostering public-private investments in critical technology for national security.
