The US Navy has awarded Ursa Major a $10 million contract to advance the development of its MK 104 solid rocket motor.
The work will take the system through the critical design review stage and static-fire testing, an important step in which engineers test the motor while it remains fixed in place. These milestones help confirm that the design is ready for future production and operational use.
Addressing Production Bottlenecks
Ursa Major said the contract builds on its growing partnership with the Navy. Company President Jason Meredith said solid rocket motor production has become a major bottleneck in missile manufacturing. He added that the MK 104 program is designed to improve performance while making production faster and easier to expand.
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Ursa Major MK 104 Advances
The company plans to manufacture the MK 104 using its adaptable production system known as Lynx. This manufacturing approach is already producing hundreds of solid rocket motors each year. By using a flexible production process, Ursa Major aims to increase output without sacrificing quality or reliability.
Supporting Future Defense
The new award follows an earlier $25 million joint investment between Ursa Major and the US Navy for solid rocket motor prototyping. Solid rocket motors provide the thrust that powers many military missiles, making them a key part of modern defense systems.
As the US works to expand missile production, contracts like this are expected to strengthen the defense industrial base and improve the military’s ability to meet future operational needs.
