The American rocket engine manufacturer Ursa Major signed a contract with the US Navy to create a new solid-fuel rocket engine printed on 3D printers. Under the agreement, Ursa Major will 3D print and test a prototype solid-fuel rocket engine that will be used for the US Navy's Standard Missile program. (SM).
Ursa Major will use its state-of-the-art Lynx additive manufacturing technology to produce these new SRMs. The new agreement was signed within the framework of the Naval Energy Systems and Technologies (NEST) program. NEST's goal is to develop a new 3D-printed twin Mk 104 rocket engine for the US Navy's SM-2, SM-3, and SM-6 missiles.
Production of Mk 104 engines has traditionally required a lot of time, which forced the US Navy to look for ways to scale the process. The US is currently facing a shortage of domestic suppliers. The situation is exacerbated by the need to support Ukraine, experts emphasized.
"We are proud of the support of the Navy and recognition of Ursa Major as a reliable partner in the development of the next generation of Mk 104 solid-propellant rocket engines.
em> — said Ursa Major founder and CEO Joe Lorenti.