Ursa Major Secures $12.5M Contract from US Navy and DoD for 3D-Printed Rocket Motors

Image Credits: Ursa Major

Overview of the Contract

Ursa Major, a startup specializing in rocket motors through 3D printing, has received a $12.5 million contract from the Department of Defense and the U.S. Navy to develop new solid-fuel rocket engines. This contract brings Ursa Major’s total funding for this initiative to $25 million, as the company will match the investment.

Significance of the OSC Investment

This $12.5 million funding is notable as it represents the first publicly disclosed investment from the OSC, an office that has faced significant delays due to congressional red tape since its inception in 2022. The OSC was established to attract more private capital into defense technology but has struggled to secure its proposed $144 million budget from Congress.

The Navy’s Push for Innovation

The investment from the Navy underscores the government’s push for advancements in rocket motor production. Currently, only a few defense companies are capable of manufacturing solid rocket motors, a situation exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has strained the U.S. supply. Bill Murray, Ursa Major’s Chief Product Officer, noted that replacing outdated rocket motors could take between five and 18 years at the current production pace, highlighting the limitations of traditional manufacturing techniques.

Advantages of 3D Printing

Ursa Major’s approach to manufacturing 3D-Printed Rocket Motors significantly enhances efficiency. Unlike traditional methods, which can take over a year to produce a rocket motor, Ursa Major leverages 3D printing technology to complete production in under a month. This innovation is critical for advancing the development of high-performance solid-fuel rocket engines. 3D printing allows for the creation of complex parts as single pieces rather than assembling multiple components, streamlining the production process and enabling faster design iterations.

Previous Contracts and Future Prospects

Founded in 2015, Ursa Major has previously secured government contracts, such as a recent one from the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory to develop an engine for hypersonic launches. The new investment from the Navy reflects a commitment to fostering technological innovation and signals a desire for startups to contribute to shaping the future of the industry.

Conclusion

Bill Murray emphasized that this investment demonstrates the military’s dedication to supporting emerging technologies. “The Navy is indicating its willingness to back startups that can help drive the industry forward,” he said. Read more about the connection between startups and military technology here.

FAQ

1. What is Ursa Major’s latest achievement?

Ursa Major has secured a $12.5 million contract from the Department of Defense’s Office of Strategic Capital (OSC) and the U.S. Navy to develop new solid-fuel rocket engines. The company will match this funding, bringing the total investment to $25 million.

2. What is the significance of the OSC’s investment?

This investment marks the first publicly announced funding from the OSC, which was created to attract private capital into defense technology. The OSC has faced delays and challenges in securing its full budget, making this investment a notable milestone.

3. Why is the Navy investing in Ursa Major’s technology?

The Navy’s investment reflects a push for innovations in rocket motor production due to current limitations in the supply of solid rocket motors, exacerbated by global conflicts like the war in Ukraine. The investment aims to address these supply issues and advance production capabilities.

4. How does 3D printing benefit Ursa Major’s rocket motor production?

3D printing allows Ursa Major to produce rocket motor components more efficiently than traditional manufacturing methods. It reduces production time from over a year to less than a month and enables the creation of complex parts as single pieces, streamlining the production process and facilitating faster design iterations.

5. What other contracts has Ursa Major secured?

Ursa Major, founded in 2015, has previously secured contracts with government agencies, including a recent contract from the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory to develop an engine for hypersonic launches. This new investment from the Navy further demonstrates the company’s growing role in defense technology.