Ursa Major Secures $12.5M in Military Funding to Advance Solid Rocket Motor Development

Ursa Major, a Colorado-based rocket propulsion company, has received $12.5 million in new funding from the U.S. Navy and the Pentagon’s Office of Strategic Capital (OSC) to drive the development and production of solid rocket motors.

A Strategic Investment in Defense Capabilities

This new funding will specifically support the design, manufacture, and testing of a solid rocket motor prototype for the U.S. Navy. This is not the first collaboration between Ursa Major and the Navy. The company is already engaged in producing solid rocket motors under a separate award, indicating a growing relationship with the Department of Defense (DoD).

The Pentagon’s investment in Ursa Major is seen as part of a broader effort to diversify its supplier base. In recent years, there has been increasing concern about overreliance on a shrinking number of domestic suppliers for critical technologies, including solid rocket motors. With ongoing conflicts in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, there has been added pressure on existing production capacity, particularly for tactical solid rocket motors, which are crucial in modern military operations.

The Importance of Innovation

“We are proud to work with OSC on their mandate for expanding the defense industrial base by bringing new innovations into the DoD ecosystem,” - Dan Jablonsky, Ursa Major’s Chief Executive

By incorporating advanced 3D printing technology, Ursa Major aims to revolutionize the production of solid rocket motors. The Lynx method is designed to be faster, more cost-effective, and scalable, providing a marked improvement over traditional manufacturing techniques.

The Role of the Office of Strategic Capital

The OSC, which was established in 2022 and formally enacted by Congress in 2024, plays a pivotal role in the U.S. government's efforts to increase private sector investment in defense-related technologies. By using its authority to issue loans and loan guarantees, the OSC seeks to encourage private capital markets to fund critical innovations that may not otherwise receive sufficient backing through traditional defense procurement mechanisms.

This approach is designed to bolster the U.S. military’s technological edge, particularly in areas like propulsion technology, where cutting-edge advancements are essential for maintaining strategic superiority.

Growing Partnerships with the U.S. Military

Ursa Major has also secured several contracts from the U.S. Air Force to develop propulsion technology, further solidifying its role as a key player in the defense sector. The company's continued growth and partnerships with multiple branches of the military underscore the critical nature of its work, particularly as the DoD seeks to address vulnerabilities in its supply chains.

This latest round of funding represents a major step forward for Ursa Major as it expands its operations and continues to contribute to the development of essential defense technologies.