Ursa Major awarded $137M for US Navy missile propulsion

The US Navy has awarded two contracts totaling $137 million to Colorado-based aerospace company Ursa Major to develop advanced solid rocket motors for new missile programs.

A $91 million contract is designated for the Compact Air-to-Air Missile (CAAM). This short-range weapon is designed to fit within the internal weapons bays of stealth fighter aircraft and future carrier-based drones, allowing for increased missile capacity without external mounting. The motor utilizes Highly Loaded Grain (HLG) technology to maximize propellant density within a 7-inch diameter.

A $46 million contract will fund the medium-range propulsion system for the Naval Modular Missile (NMM). Designed for ship-launched interceptors, the NMM aims to eventually replace the Navy’s Standard Missile family. The motor features a 10-inch diameter and is intended for a quad-pack configuration to maximize capacity within single launch units.

Ursa Major is utilizing industrial-scale 3D printing and additive manufacturing for components such as motor casings, nozzles, and igniters. This approach aims to streamline the transition from the development phase to high-rate production.