Manufacturer of rocket engines The Ursa Major initiated the construction of a new 400 hectare solid-piece rocket testing in Weld County, Colorado, and has a big step forward in the company's capacity for design, production, testing and certification of large Solid rocket engine systems (SRM) systems, including those used in standard rocket programs, both national and Missile defense priorities.
“This facility represents a big step forward in our ability to provide qualified SRMs that are scalable, flexible and willing to meet the developing threat environment,” said Dan Jablonsky, CEO of Ursa Major. “It is a clear demonstration of our engagement and our ability to quickly promote and expand the fixed rocket motor industry produced by America that the country needs to ensure that the war class have the quality and quantity of the SRMS that are necessary to meet the mission requirements.”
The Usa main subject is addressed by the US navy investment and combating an industrial basis of modern SRM skills and expands production and expands physical test infrastructures in order to provide the skills faster and cheaper than legacy providers. The construction is already underway, and the tests are expected to start in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Testing and validation on the latest state of the art
The location acts as a primary test and certification location for the large SRMS of the USA Major, which supports current and upcoming rocket systems and at the same time accelerates the production time plans. The facility was developed for secure, static ignition and future qualification processes such as waste and temperature storage tests and enables the validation of SRMS, which are manufactured with the company's Lynx manufacturing process-a software-oriented, additive production system that captures several motor sizes from 2 to 22 ”in diameter and various storm profiles without a return.
This milestone follows an intensive year for the SRM program from USA Major. So far, the company has completed four successful SRM flight tests and over 450 static fires and presented both scalability and consistency in various systems. The highlights include several firing of an SRM with a diameter of 5 inches, which validates the proprietary manufacturing process, several static fires with a highly loaded grain motor with a diameter of 10 inches and a number of static fires for a 2.75-inch hhlg-SRM, whereby the area is extended with the APKS laser-guided system.
3D printing rocket systems
The Additive-capable SRM program from URSA Major reflects a broader trend in the defense industry to 3D printing drive components. For example, the Italian rocket and rocket manufacturer Avio recently announced plans to triple the production of SRMS over the next 4 to 5 years in order to meet the growing demand from the United States.
While the role of additive manufacturing in this initiative was not confirmed, the company actively uses 3D printing to produce drive systems. The company has Velo3D Sapphire 3D printer to produce high-strength, corrosion and temperature resistance parts in alloy materials on a nickel basis. Avio had previously worked with Raytheon to build a domestic industrial grass for critical SRMs. It is now building up a production system based in the USA to strengthen the supply chains and diversify the procurement options.
Elsewhere, the US defense company Lockheed Martin 3D printing is important components of its new Mako hyperschallrakete. The metal additive manufacturing technology is used to promote the section “Guide to the Jet-Fired rocket” and to achieve considerable time and cost savings. The “Guide” section is printed ten times faster than conventional methods, while it is only 1/10 of the costs.
Working on Mako began in 2017, with the rocket now at the on -call level six plus, which means that it is ready for production. With a weight of £ 1,300, it was checked externally for F-35, F/A-18-, F-16-, F-15- and P-8 aircraft, whereby the internal fit checking for F-22 and F-35C fighters was completed. The solid -state engine (SRM) can accelerate Mako to Mach 5.
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The photo presented shows the construction of a new 400 hectare solid rocket motor testing in Weld County, Colorado. Photo about Ursa Major.