Lockheed Martin partners with Venus Aerospace on next‑gen missile propulsion

Lockheed Martin and Texas‑based Venus Aerospace have signed a joint technology development agreement to assess Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine (RDRE) technology for future U.S. long‑range precision‑fire missiles. The collaboration will evaluate how the continuously traveling detonation‑wave propulsion can increase missile range, speed and efficiency while simplifying engine design.

Lockheed Martin’s Tim Cahill, president of Missiles and Fire Control, said the partnership “helps accelerate innovation, reduce risk and rapidly advance from emerging technology to operational capability.” Venus Aerospace co‑founder and CEO Sassie Duggleby added that defense customers are seeking “more than incremental gains from legacy propulsion,” and RDRE offers a different architecture to meet those demands. The effort combines Venus Aerospace’s flight‑tested propulsion with Lockheed Martin’s missile integration and manufacturing expertise, aiming to move the concept from demonstration toward deployable systems for the United States and its allies.