Raytheon and Ursa Major successfully test advanced long-range rocket motor for U.S. Army

The innovative rocket motor is designed to enhance the U.S. Army’s ability to strike farther and faster than adversaries, according to 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,” said Laliberty.

The new propulsion technology integrates innovative, low-cost component solutions, significantly reducing the expense of smart munitions compared to current systems. Ursa Major’s advanced manufacturing techniques, including additive manufacturing, enabled the team to complete motor development, testing, and manufacturing with exceptional speed.

“The Ursa Major team has utilized additive manufacturing to complete motor development, manufacturing, and testing in unprecedented timelines, resulting in nearly 300 static test fires this year,” said Dan Jablonsky, CEO of Ursa Major. “These methods yield agile solid rocket motor solutions with the design flexibility needed to expand the capabilities of the U.S. military.”

RTX Ventures’ 2023 investment in Ursa Major has been instrumental in exploring new rocket motor technologies to address urgent national security requirements. During the next phase of development, Raytheon and Ursa Major will focus on incorporating manufacturing improvements, with additional flight tests planned for 2025 and system qualification by 2026.