Raytheon, Lockheed sign with Avio to meet solid rocket motor production demand
Raytheon’s AIM-9X Sidewinder has been in high demand from the US, creating pressure to increase production. (Photo: Raytheon)
Avio’s newly planned rocket motor plant in the US will help two of the country’s primes to increase their solid rocket motor output for their missile portfolios and meet future demand.
Lockheed Martin and Raytheon have both signed agreements with Italian rocket maker Avio to be the first customers for its new solid rocket motor facility in the US.
The industry shortage of solid rocket motors (SRMs) is one factor hindering production rates for companies in the US, which are looking to ramp up their munitions output to meet demand as countries upgrade their defence capabilities.
The plan to build an SRM facility in the US was first announced by Italian company Avio in October 2024. According to Avio, the facility is planned to be operational by 2028.
The rocket manufacturer also
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
You may also like
More from Air Warfare
-
![How the UK’s New Medium Helicopter award strengthens AW149’s European prospects]()
How the UK’s New Medium Helicopter award strengthens AW149’s European prospects
The UK advanced its long-delayed New Medium Helicopter programme in March with a £1 billion order for 23 Leonardo AW149s. While the deal could provide a foundation for further UK and European export orders, funding pressures and previous delays continue to cloud the programme’s future.
-
![Canadian observer status reinforces GCAP’s strength in emerging ‘middle power’ bloc]()
Canadian observer status reinforces GCAP’s strength in emerging ‘middle power’ bloc
The significant setback seen by FCAS earlier this year has secured GCAP’s position as Europe’s future sixth-generation fighter, while Canada’s potential observer status could push the programme into the next stage.
-
![UK air focus: Drone spending trails European frontline states despite $10.46 billion valuation]()
UK air focus: Drone spending trails European frontline states despite $10.46 billion valuation
Despite the UK having the third-largest military UAV market in Europe, the country appears to be underinvesting in the capability relative to the size of its economy, particularly when compared with Baltic and eastern European states.
-
![Proteus: Forging the future of autonomous rotorcraft]()
Proteus: Forging the future of autonomous rotorcraft
As the home of British helicopters, Leonardo has worked with the UK Ministry of Defence for over a decade to advance technologies underpinning uncrewed rotorcraft. Today, in partnership with UK Defence Innovation and the Royal Navy, Leonardo is spearheading the next step in that journey: from remotely piloted technologies to fully autonomous systems.
-
![US Air Force to add new capabilities to its in-service and future T-7A fleet]()
US Air Force to add new capabilities to its in-service and future T-7A fleet
As the T-7A programme recovers from delays and rising costs, the USAF is signalling new opportunities in anti-jamming GPS, collision avoidance, advanced flight controls and pilot interface improvements.
-
![“Fifth-gen capability without the cost”: how autonomous strike can change the face of air warfare]()
“Fifth-gen capability without the cost”: how autonomous strike can change the face of air warfare
In Conversation… Armor Harris, Senior Vice President for Aircraft at Shield AI, talks to Shephard’s Gerrard Cowan about why cost-effective autonomous aircraft are a game-changer for air forces worldwide, and the key roles played by VTOL and AI as enabling technologies.
