Raytheon, an RTX business, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Avio to support the establishment of a new, state-of-the-art solid rocket motor (SRM) production facility in the United States. The strategic partnership aims to create a new domestic supplier to meet growing demand for critical propulsion systems.
Under the agreement, Avio will operate as a vertically integrated merchant supplier, serving Raytheon and other customers. Raytheon will secure preferred access to a portion of the plant’s output to fulfill future needs for its key defense programs. This initiative builds directly on recent collaborative milestones, including a July 2024 contract for preliminary engineering on the Mk 104 rocket motor and a follow-on order to fund through Critical Design Review and long-lead material procurement.
“This agreement will help establish an additional supplier of solid rocket motors within the U.S. and demonstrates our commitment to meeting the increasing demands of our customers,” said Bob Butz, vice president of Operations, Supply Chain and Quality at Raytheon. “By leveraging Avio’s experience and unique capabilities in solid rocket motor propulsion development and manufacturing, we’re strengthening our capacity for critical weapon systems.”
The new facility is designed to bolster the U.S. industrial base for advanced propulsion. It will support the production of SRMs essential for a range of missile and space launch systems.
“We are proud to be partnered with Raytheon for their future production capacity needs at our new factory facility,” said retired Vice Admiral Jim Syring, CEO of Avio USA. “We look forward to leveraging the incredible pedigree and experience of our parent company, Avio S.p.A., as we build our factory and establish in the U.S. as a true vertically integrated merchant supplier.”
Both companies emphasized the partnership’s role in strengthening national defense and allied capabilities, committing to the successful implementation of the new manufacturing center.
