Ursa Major and US Navy Invest $25 Million in SRM Manufacturing

It’s no secret that Ursa Major has been making significant strides in rocket propulsion technology. A few months ago, they saw success with the first flight of their 3D printed Hadley engine, and last November, they unveiled Lynx, a groundbreaking manufacturing pathway for solid rocket motor (SRM) production employing additive manufacturing. Now in the latest update, Ursa Major announced they were making a $25 million joint investment with the US Navy to mature Lynx, a deal that further cements Ursa Major’s relationship with the Department of Defense (DoD). Ursa Major, the Naval Air Weapons Center China Lake, and the Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division are working together on this project.

Ursa Major, based in Colorado, claims to be the nation’s leading company in privately funded rocket propulsion. The DoD selected Ursa Major as a recipient of a $12.5 million investment from the Office of Strategic Capital (OSC), and Ursa Major is matching that investment, meaning a $25 million expansion of the company’s SRM capabilities. The $25 million investment will be used to advance manufacturing capability in propellant manufacturing, additive manufacturing, and composite case winding in support of SRMs for national security missions.

Solid rocket motor created with Ursa Major’s Lynx

The OSC’s mission is to increase investments in critical technology areas for national security, and Ursa Major aligns with their goal. CEO of Ursa Major Dan Jablonsky exclaimed his enthusiasm for the deal, saying, “We are proud to work with OSC on their mandate for expanding the defense industrial base by bringing new innovations into the DoD ecosystem.” 

Lynx: An Advanced Manufacturing Pathfinder Program

Through this, Ursa Major will complete an advanced manufacturing pathfinder program to design, manufacture, and test a Navy SRM prototype using Lynx. According to Ursa Major, Lynx introduces a cost-effective manufacturing solution for SRMs. Jablonsky explained, “Ursa Major is revolutionizing manufacturing approaches used in propulsion development in the United States, building flexibility of production and scalability into manufacturing for our defense customers.” 

Their process utilizes metal 3D printing, which reduces overall part count and development time while allowing for rapid design and manufacturing. The system also employs other advanced manufacturing methods that produce multiple SRM systems on the same production line, without needing expensive re-tooling or an extensive workforce. Because fewer parts and assembly tasks are required, production costs are lower without sacrificing performance. Ursa Major hopes that as Lynx improves, it strengthens their position in the industry as well as the defense capabilities of the United States and its allies.

Ursa Major’s solid rocket motors designed for standard missiles

Furthermore, the Navy’s investment in Ursa Major’s technology is a testament to their ongoing interest in additive manufacturing. Under a separate award, Ursa Major is developing a second source Mk104 Dual Thrust Rocket Motor (DTRM) for the Navy. Additionally, this spring, the Navy onboarded a 3D printer onto the USS San Diego and commissioned 3D printed submarine components. Read more about the Navy’s investment in Ursa Major in the press release here. 

What do you think of the Lynx approach and Ursa Major’s partnership with the Navy? Let us know in a comment below or on our LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter pages! Don’t forget to sign up for our free weekly newsletter here, for the latest 3D printing news straight to your inbox! You can also find all our videos on our YouTube channel.

*All Photo Credits: Ursa Major