US Army selects Anduril to develop new rocket motor

Anduril Industries has been chosen by the U.S. Army to create a new solid rocket motor. This motor will be 4.75 inches in diameter and is intended for long-range precision artillery missions. The announcement was made on Friday. The global demand for rocket motors is rapidly increasing. This surge is partly due to ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. Many militaries now believe that future wars will need more rockets and missiles. This approach is part of a strategy called "affordable mass," which focuses on using a large volume of firepower. The new rocket motor could allow the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) to carry up to 30 guided rockets. Currently, a HIMARS pod can only hold 6 GMLRS rockets or 1 ATACMS rocket. To develop this motor, Anduril will use both traditional aluminized propellant and its new fuel known as ALITEC. The company believes that ALITEC will enhance the rocket motor's performance, range, and efficiency while making it smaller and lighter. The project is backed by a $14.3 million award from the Defense Production Act and an investment of $75 million from Anduril itself.