U.S. Navy Partners with Ursa Major on $10 Million MK 104 Development Agreement

In a significant move to enhance its missile manufacturing capabilities, the U.S. Navy has awarded Ursa Major, an innovative aerospace and defense company, a development contract worth $10 million. This initiative aims to further the MK 104 solid rocket motor design through critical design review and static fire testing.

Jason Meredith, the president of Solid Missile Systems at Ursa Major, expressed enthusiasm about this collaboration, stating, "With this contract, we're expanding our partnership with the U.S. Navy to build a faster, more resilient, and more innovative solid rocket motor supply base." The MK 104 system is engineered to not only perform effectively but also to optimize manufacturing processes, scale production, and provide advanced capabilities to Sailors in operational contexts where it truly matters.

Solid rocket motor production has increasingly become a bottleneck within missile systems manufacturing. Ursa Major’s expertise in propulsion technology positions them as a crucial partner in delivering essential support to U.S. warfighters. Meredith further elaborated, "Solid rocket motor production has become the bottleneck in missile manufacturing, and as propulsion experts, Ursa Major is ready to be a key partner for ensuring our warfighters are equipped to meet the demands of tomorrow's fight."

This is not Ursa Major’s first engagement with the Navy; the company has successfully collaborated on other contracts, including a notable $25 million investment dedicated to solid rocket motor prototyping. This ongoing partnership signifies a growing trust between the U.S. Navy and Ursa Major, bolstering the country’s defense infrastructure.

To meet the objectives of this latest contract, Ursa Major will apply its Lynx manufacturing approach, which is recognized for its efficiency and adaptability. This technology currently enables the production of hundreds of solid rocket motors each year, ensuring that the Navy’s demand for high-performance systems can be met consistently.

About Ursa Major

Founded in Berthoud, Colorado, Ursa Major specializes in advanced aerospace and defense technologies, particularly in the realms of hypersonics and space mobility. The company’s focus on delivering flight-proven capabilities underlines its commitment to enhancing the defense industrial base, not just for the U.S., but for its allies as well. With additive manufacturing operations based in Youngstown, Ohio, Ursa Major employs state-of-the-art production techniques and flexible design architectures to build systems applicable across land, air, sea, and space.

Ursa Major continues to lead the charge in revitalizing America’s defense capabilities, clearly focused on the necessity of speed and versatility in today’s combat scenarios. Their approach emphasizes faster delivery times for critical capabilities which are paramount in meeting the tactical needs of military personnel.

In conclusion, the contract awarded by the U.S. Navy is a testament to the collaborative efforts that are pivotal in contemporary defense strategies and underscores the importance of innovation in manufacturing technologies aimed at enhancing the capabilities of the armed forces.