Pentagon Nearing Contract with Ursa Major for Rocket Motors: Reuters Report
According to exclusive information from Reuters, the Pentagon is on the brink of awarding a contract for new rocket motors to Ursa Major, a privately-held startup known for its innovative use of 3D printing in creating rocket engines and motors. The potential contract, anticipated to be modest in scale and categorized under the Pentagon’s development initiatives, would serve as a significant vote of confidence in Ursa Major’s capabilities.
The report reveals that Pentagon officials are actively seeking additional suppliers beyond established leaders like Northrop Grumman and L3 Harris Technologies in the rocket engine sector. Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, Heidu Shyu, conveyed to Congress in mid-February 2024 that upon receiving the fiscal year ’24 budget, priority would be given to a small company specializing in additive manufacturing of solid rocket motors.
While Shyu did not explicitly name Ursa Major, a congressional aide and an industry executive, both speaking anonymously, indicated that the reference was indeed to Ursa Major. However, a representative from Ursa Major declined to comment on the matter when approached by Reuters, and the Pentagon refrained from providing further details regarding the potential contract award.
In 2023, Ursa Major secured a substantial $138 million in funding through its Series D and D-1 rounds. Chief Operating Officer Nick Doucette expressed optimism about the additive industry’s ongoing evolution and its implications for Ursa Major in the year ahead. Doucette emphasized two critical areas of progress for the company in 2024: advancements in large volume platforms and high production throughput capabilities.
Regarding large platform printing, Doucette highlighted recent advancements at Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), particularly in material choice and part consistency. These advancements benefit Ursa Major’s larger liquid engines, which traditionally rely on older manufacturing methods due to their size. By leveraging additive manufacturing, Ursa Major aims to reduce lead times and enhance part performance for such engines.
Doucette also discussed the challenges and opportunities associated with high production printing, emphasizing the importance of addressing per-part costs, support structures, and volume part consistency. Ursa Major intends to collaborate with OEMs and new entrants to transform high-volume production printing, particularly for solid rocket motors, which demand higher rates compared to liquid engines.
In summary, Ursa Major remains committed to investing in additive manufacturing technology in 2024 and leveraging its capabilities to deploy propulsion solutions where they are most needed.
Original source TCT Magazine
