The US Navy has awarded X-Bow Systems a significant $60 million contract to modernize its solid rocket production facilities. This substantial investment underscores the Pentagon's commitment to upgrading its aging defense manufacturing infrastructure.
The contract focuses on enhancing the capabilities of the Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division in Maryland. X-Bow will utilize its advanced 3D printing technologies to revolutionize the production of solid rocket motors and propellants. This initiative is a key component of the Navy's comprehensive 15-year, $2.7 billion modernization plan for its industrial base.
Solid rocket motors are crucial propulsion systems employed in various military applications, including missiles and space launch vehicles. The Indian Head facility, a vital defense manufacturing site since World War II, will benefit significantly from this upgrade, boosting its capacity to produce energetic materials and propulsion systems.
“Our work will increase production capacity of solid rocket motors to meet growing military needs,” stated Jason Hundley, X-Bow’s CEO, in a December 3rd news release. This contract builds upon X-Bow's recent successes in the defense sector, notably its selection to develop solid propulsion for hypersonic missiles and its involvement in the Standard Missile program.
Further solidifying their partnership, X-Bow signed a 20-year agreement with the Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division in 2023 to collaborate on the development and manufacturing of solid propellant rocket systems.