Ursa Major Concludes Milestone Rocket Motor Program with U.S. Navy and Office of Strategic Capital
In a significant achievement for the aerospace sector, Ursa Major has successfully concluded its Solid Rocket Motor (SRM) Manufacturing Pathfinder Program, marking a pivotal collaboration with the U.S. Navy and the Office of Strategic Capital (OSC). This program, which wrapped up in February 2026, was a cost-shared initiative that saw a collective investment of $25 million. The primary objective was to evaluate and enhance the manufacturing capabilities of solid rocket motors, which are essential for various defense applications.
Throughout the duration of the program, Ursa Major demonstrated remarkable technical competencies by designing, manufacturing, and conducting successful static tests of the HLG 10-inch SRM prototype. This involved the development of a proprietary propellant tailored specifically for the motor, which achieved all required performance metrics and burn duration criteria. Notably, these developments lay a robust technical and manufacturing groundwork for future U.S. Navy systems, which necessitate a 10-inch diameter SRM.
Chris Spagnoletti, the CEO of Ursa Major, emphasized the significance of the project, stating that their partnerships with the Navy and OSC translated financial investments into tangible results, significantly boosting manufacturing capacity while establishing a swift production model. He stressed that when the government collaborates with companies that excel in efficiency and innovation, they can deliver capabilities that meet urgent timelines. By executing this successful program, Ursa Major not only reinforced the defense industrial base but also affirmed its commitment to providing strategic and scalable capabilities for the joint forces.
A key aspect of this program was Ursa Major's focused investment in scaling its facilities and improving manufacturing processes to accommodate the production demands of SRM. The structured milestones of the program served as a trailblazer for the development of larger systems. Furthermore, it facilitated a significant refinement of Ursa Major’s modular manufacturing methodology, known as Lynx. This method employs Highly Loaded Grain and promotes commonality across various components, leading to reductions in tooling costs and shorter lead times, while heightening flexibility and scalability across different motor variations. Such advancements position Ursa Major to effectively meet the U.S. Navy's growing demands for solid rocket motors.
This collaborative effort was closely coordinated with several navy divisions, including the Naval Air Weapons Center Weapons Division at China Lake, the Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division, and naval acquisition teams. This integration ensured technical execution was aligned with mission-specific requirements, ensuring the manufacturing strategy addressed fundamental operational needs. The program played a critical role in supporting the Department of War’s Strategic Objective Needs by honing in on manufacturability, scalability, and the rapid qualification of SRM technologies vital for the operational efficacy of missile and rocket systems across the joint forces.
As Ursa Major continues to advance in the aerospace and defense arena, its commitment to delivering flight-proven capabilities across various domains, including hypersonics, solid rocket motors, and space mobility, remains steadfast. Headquartered in Berthoud, Colorado, with additive manufacturing operations in Youngstown, Ohio, Ursa Major utilizes cutting-edge production techniques and versatile architectures to craft systems suitable for land, air, sea, and space applications. This dedication to innovation and adaptability positions Ursa Major at the forefront of revitalizing the defense industrial landscape for the U.S. and its allies, fulfilling the pressing need for speed in the delivery of critical capabilities.
Throughout the duration of the program, Ursa Major demonstrated remarkable technical competencies by designing, manufacturing, and conducting successful static tests of the HLG 10-inch SRM prototype. This involved the development of a proprietary propellant tailored specifically for the motor, which achieved all required performance metrics and burn duration criteria. Notably, these developments lay a robust technical and manufacturing groundwork for future U.S. Navy systems, which necessitate a 10-inch diameter SRM.
Chris Spagnoletti, the CEO of Ursa Major, emphasized the significance of the project, stating that their partnerships with the Navy and OSC translated financial investments into tangible results, significantly boosting manufacturing capacity while establishing a swift production model. He stressed that when the government collaborates with companies that excel in efficiency and innovation, they can deliver capabilities that meet urgent timelines. By executing this successful program, Ursa Major not only reinforced the defense industrial base but also affirmed its commitment to providing strategic and scalable capabilities for the joint forces.
A key aspect of this program was Ursa Major's focused investment in scaling its facilities and improving manufacturing processes to accommodate the production demands of SRM. The structured milestones of the program served as a trailblazer for the development of larger systems. Furthermore, it facilitated a significant refinement of Ursa Major’s modular manufacturing methodology, known as Lynx. This method employs Highly Loaded Grain and promotes commonality across various components, leading to reductions in tooling costs and shorter lead times, while heightening flexibility and scalability across different motor variations. Such advancements position Ursa Major to effectively meet the U.S. Navy's growing demands for solid rocket motors.
This collaborative effort was closely coordinated with several navy divisions, including the Naval Air Weapons Center Weapons Division at China Lake, the Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division, and naval acquisition teams. This integration ensured technical execution was aligned with mission-specific requirements, ensuring the manufacturing strategy addressed fundamental operational needs. The program played a critical role in supporting the Department of War’s Strategic Objective Needs by honing in on manufacturability, scalability, and the rapid qualification of SRM technologies vital for the operational efficacy of missile and rocket systems across the joint forces.
As Ursa Major continues to advance in the aerospace and defense arena, its commitment to delivering flight-proven capabilities across various domains, including hypersonics, solid rocket motors, and space mobility, remains steadfast. Headquartered in Berthoud, Colorado, with additive manufacturing operations in Youngstown, Ohio, Ursa Major utilizes cutting-edge production techniques and versatile architectures to craft systems suitable for land, air, sea, and space applications. This dedication to innovation and adaptability positions Ursa Major at the forefront of revitalizing the defense industrial landscape for the U.S. and its allies, fulfilling the pressing need for speed in the delivery of critical capabilities.
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