RTX's Raytheon wins DARPA contract for adaptable rocket motor tech

Raytheon, a business unit of RTX (NYSE: RTX), received a phase two contract from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to develop composable solid rocket motor technology through the Burn n' Go program, according to a company statement.

The technology aims to create rocket motors that can adjust thrust on demand to meet multiple mission requirements, moving away from traditional single-use designs. Raytheon is collaborating with Northrop Grumman and Luna Innovations on the project.

The award follows a seven-month phase one effort where the team demonstrated the feasibility of the new propulsion approach. Under the phase two contract, Raytheon's Advanced Technology division will further develop and scale the solution, followed by demonstrations in realistic rocket motor configurations.

"Solid rocket motor production has become a critical bottleneck for many missile programs," said Colin Whelan, president of Advanced Technology at Raytheon. "By pursuing a composable approach to how these motors are designed and built, we're helping lay the groundwork for faster, more adaptable munitions production across multiple mission sets."

Raytheon serves as the prime contractor, partnering with Northrop Grumman's Allegany Ballistic Laboratory, which provides solid rocket motor design and manufacturing expertise. Luna Innovations contributes material development capabilities to the project.

The development aligns with Raytheon's broader composable weapons strategy, which focuses on reducing development cycle time, lowering costs and accelerating missile development. The technology is designed to support a wider range of missions and weapon systems by providing military forces with more options from a common motor design.

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