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With the rising demand for U.S. weapons in global conflicts, the United States grapples with a critical shortage of essential munitions, intensifying the urgency for a rapid solution in solid rocket motor (SRM) production. In response, the U.S. Navy has partnered with the rocket propulsion company Ursa Major to enhance the production capabilities of its Lynx SRM manufacturing process.
12.5 million dollars will be invested by each party, totaling $25 million to advance the development of an advanced manufacturing pathfinder program. This initiative aims to design, produce, and test a prototype SRM specifically tailored for Navy applications.
The Lynx process represents a transformative approach to SRM design and manufacturing. Ursa Major seeks to address the SRM shortage with a faster and more cost-effective production method. Traditional SRM manufacturers rely on rigid production lines that are expensive and slow to adapt. In contrast, Lynx leverages 3D printing technology, enabling the simultaneous production of multiple scalable SRM systems without the need for extensive re-tooling or workforce retraining.
Data from the Center for Strategic and International Studies highlights that replenishing depleted inventories of key munitions could take between five to 18 years if conventional production methods are maintained. This timeline is insufficient to meet the urgent needs of U.S. allies and deter adversaries like China.
Ursa Major’s Lynx technology aims to expedite this process significantly. One Lynx additive manufacturing machine can produce over 1,650 man-portable motor casings each year, compared to the current Javelin production rate of only 2,100 units per year. Lynx motors, which range from 2 to 22.5 inches in diameter, can support various missile systems, including Stingers and GMLRS, while carrying more fuel within the same engine footprint than legacy systems.
Moreover, the design of Lynx motors allows for the use of common propellants across multiple applications, alleviating supply chain issues associated with specialized propellant development.
As the U.S. military seeks innovative solutions to meet growing demands, the partnership with Ursa Major represents a significant step toward revitalizing SRM production capabilities, ensuring a swift and effective response in times of crisis.
