Supply-chain input · Subsystem
Rocket motors using solid propellant; the propulsion for most tactical missiles and interceptors.
US supply consolidated from six makers to two between 2000 and 2015 (Aerojet Rocketdyne, now L3Harris, and Orbital ATK, now Northrop Grumman). DoD calls the narrow supplier base a bottleneck and has funded new entrants (Anduril, X-Bow, Ursa Major) and sub-tier suppliers through DPA Title III, while Northrop and L3Harris expand capacity.
Capacity and global share as reported; shares from different years and sources may not add up. Bars compare producers on this page only.
Upstream · needs · 2
This input
Solid rocket motors
Downstream · needed by · 0
Nothing downstream recorded.
Upstream: what this input is made from or processed with. Downstream: what is made from it.
Laser-guidance kit converting 2.75-inch Hydra-70 rockets into precision munitions; used air- and ground-launched against drones.
Photo: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Desmond Parks · Public domain (PD-USGov)
Solid-rocket counter-UAS missile (originally BlueHalo) for Group 2-3 drones with RF seeker and 20 lb warhead; Army NGCM winner.
Apex-funded demonstration in which an 'Orbital Magazine' satellite deploys two prototype interceptors on orbit; launch slated for June 2026.
| Supplier | Customer | For | Notes | Conf. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| L3Harris Aerojet Rocketdyne | Lockheed Martin | — | GMLRS Insensitive Munition propulsion units; follow-on contract up to $200M. | Confirmed |
| X-Bow Systems | Lockheed Martin | — | Strategic agreement to qualify X-Bow as an independent SRM supplier. | Confirmed |
| Facility | Owner | Kind | Location | Status | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camden solid rocket motor plant | L3Harris Aerojet Rocketdyne | Factory | Camden, Arkansas, United States | Operating | Confirmed |
| Mississippi Solid Rocket Motor Complex | Anduril Industries | Factory | McHenry, Mississippi, United States | Operating · 2025 | Confirmed |
| X-Bow Luling solid rocket motor campus | X-Bow Systems | Factory | Luling, Texas, United States | Operating · 2025 | Confirmed |
Center for Strategic and International Studies · Jun 12, 2026 · Supports Input
“Between 2000 and 2015, the industry shrunk from six domestic suppliers to just two: Aerojet Rocketdyne and Orbital ATK.”
U.S. Department of War · Dec 23, 2025 · Supports Input, Input · input dependency:energetic-materials
“The surge in demand for propellant-based weaponry, coupled with a narrow supplier base, has created a bottleneck in SRM production,”
DoD Office of Inspector General · Jul 9, 2020 · Supports Input · input dependency:ammonium-perchlorate, Input · input dependency:energetic-materials
“The only DoD-approved domestic AP1 supplier is the American Pacific Corporation (AMPAC).”
Northrop Grumman · Sep 8, 2026 · Supports Organization input
“produced approximately 13,000 motors in 2024 and plans to increase annual production to more than 25,000 by 2029.”
Ursa Major · Jul 15, 2026 · Supports Organization input
“The U.S. Navy has awarded Ursa Major a $10 million development contract to advance the company's MK 104 design through critical design review and static fire.”
Tectonic · Jul 15, 2026 · Supports Organization input
“there have historically been just two primary manufacturers of 'em, L3Harris's Aerojet Rocketdyne and Northrop Grumman.”
ASDNews · Feb 19, 2026 · Supports Organization input
“In August 2025, Anduril opened its full-rate production facility in Mississippi, making Anduril the third supplier of SRMs in the US.”
L3Harris · Dec 10, 2025 · Supports Organization input, Supply relationship
“The GMLRS IM contract will be the first order processed through L3Harris’ newly constructed facility in Camden, Arkansas, which was funded through the Defense Production Act Title III cooperative agreement”
X-Bow Systems (PR Newswire) · Nov 19, 2025 · Supports Organization input
“the facility will initially produce 1 million pounds of energetics annually, with plans to scale to 3 million pounds within 12-24 months”
X-Bow Systems · May 12, 2025 · Supports Supply relationship
“X-Bow and Lockheed Martin have entered into a strategic agreement allowing Lockheed Martin to accelerate X-Bow as a new independent supplier of SRMs”
SpaceNews · May 12, 2025 · Supports Organization input
“X-Bow Systems, a startup that builds solid rocket motors”
U.S. Department of Defense · Apr 14, 2023 · Supports Organization input
“increase production and delivery speed for Javelins, Stingers, and the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS).”
Wardstone · Supports Organization input
“We are excited to showcase our technology including our in-house produced solid rocket motor”
Trade & Industry Development · Supports Organization input
“the investment would increase the annual production capacity of propellant mixing and solid rocket motor from 600 to over 6,000 tactical-scale solid rocket motors.”
Each fact on this page is attached to the sources that support it. Archived copies are linked when we keep one.
