IRVINE, California — Defense technology firm Anduril Industries has been awarded a $14.3 million contract by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to enhance the production of solid rocket motors (SRMs), vital components in missile propulsion systems. This funding, provided under Title III of the Defense Production Act (DPA), aims to strengthen domestic missile manufacturing capabilities and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers.
The DoD’s investment complements Anduril’s substantial $75 million private capital commitment, focusing on expanding and modernizing its Mississippi Solid Rocket Complex (MSRC) in McHenry, Mississippi. Enhancements at the facility include advanced manufacturing processes such as bladeless speed-mixing and single-piece flow, designed to increase production efficiency and improve product quality.
In June 2023, Anduril acquired Adranos, a company specializing in high-performance solid rocket fuels, notably ALITEC, an aluminum-lithium alloy fuel that can increase missile range by up to 40%. This acquisition positions Anduril to supply SRMs for hypersonic weapons and other advanced missile systems.
Furthering its advancements in missile technology, Anduril conducted a successful static test of the Denali 18-inch hypersonic booster in November 2024 at its McHenry facility. The Denali booster is designed to facilitate high-frequency hypersonic flight testing, contributing to the development of next-generation missile systems.
Additionally, in June 2024, Anduril secured a $19 million contract with the U.S. Navy to design, build, and test second-stage rocket motors for the Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) program, further solidifying its role in advanced missile propulsion development.
While Anduril has not officially announced plans to develop hypersonic ballistic missiles, these strategic moves—acquisitions, facility expansions, and successful propulsion system tests—indicate the company’s positioning as a significant contributor to next-generation missile technologies.
The DoD’s investment in Anduril reflects a broader strategy to enhance the resilience of the U.S. defense industrial base, ensuring the timely availability of critical components like SRMs for current and future defense systems.
As Anduril continues to expand its capabilities in missile propulsion and advanced defense technologies, it is poised to play a pivotal role in the future landscape of U.S. missile defense.