The Ursa Major Technologies startup has secured a substantial $12.5 million contract with the US Department of Defense’s Office of Strategic Capital, in collaboration with the US military, to develop rocket motors utilizing 3D printing technology. The US Navy plans to design and manufacture innovative, high-performance gasoline-powered rocket propulsion systems. The corporation, having secured $274 million according to PitchBook data, will amplify its investment by matching the funds, effectively increasing the total allocated capital for the endeavour to $548 million.
The $12.5 million funding represents a significant milestone for the Office of the Special Counsel (OSC), as it receives its first publicly announced funding since its inception in 2022, having faced congressional gridlock until now. Despite being crafted to attract private investment in protection tech, the workplace encountered difficulties securing its proposed $144 million budget through Congress.
The US Navy’s reliance on a limited number of defense contractors to manufacture robust rocket motors highlights the federal government’s pressing need for innovation and diversification in this sector, as the ongoing conflict in Ukraine has strained America’s supply chain of these critical components. According to Invoice Murray, Chief Product Officer at Ursa Main, he stated that the new motors “will require anywhere from 5 to 18 years at our current rate of manufacturing to produce.” The industry’s reliance on antiquated production techniques ultimately hinges on a fundamental failure to modernize.
According to Murray, a traditional manufacturing process typically takes over a year to complete, whereas Ursa Main is capable of producing similar items in under a month. As a result, Ursa Main leverages 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, to optimize the production of complex components, enabling contractors to rapidly refine their designs through iterative refinement. In many cases, designing a rocket motor requires careful assembly of multiple parts, typically involving dozens of components carefully welded together to form the final product. With three-dimensional printing, the entire part can now be manufactured as a single, seamless entity.
Based on its founding in 2015, the corporation has successfully secured government contracts over the years, including a notable instance last year when it partnered with the U.S. The Air Drive Analysis Laboratory is tasked with developing an engine that can power hypersonic launches.
Murray highlighted how the allocated funds demonstrate the army’s commitment to fostering innovative capabilities through expertly trained personnel. The US Navy’s request is essentially an invitation to a startup to partner with them in establishing a sustainable trade, the representative clarified.
