RTX’s Raytheon selected by DARPA to advance composable solid rocket motor technology
ARLINGTON, Va., May 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — RTX’s Raytheon unit, in collaboration with Northrop Grumman, has received a phase two contract from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) for the Burn n’ Go program. The contract marks a continued effort in developing a new solid rocket motor (SRM) design that decouples post-manufactured motors from traditional single-use configurations. The resulting technology will provide a composable motor capable of adjusting thrust on demand to meet varying mission requirements.
The phase two award follows a swift, seven-month phase one effort, during which Raytheon and Northrop Grumman demonstrated the viability of this innovative propulsion concept. Designed to broaden support for diverse missions and weapon systems, the new SRM approach offers the military enhanced options based on a unified, single-use motor design.
Under the phase two contract, Raytheon’s Advanced Technology team will work on further maturation and scaling of the solution, culminating in a series of demonstrations to evaluate performance in progressively realistic rocket motor configurations.
“Solid rocket motor production has become a critical bottleneck for many missile programs,” noted Colin Whelan, president of Advanced Technology at Raytheon. “By pursuing a composable approach to how these motors are designed and built, we’re helping lay the groundwork for faster, more adaptable munitions production across multiple mission sets.”
As the prime contractor, Raytheon is collaborating with Northrop Grumman’s Allegany Ballistic Laboratory (ABL), which brings robust expertise in solid rocket motor design and manufacturing. Additionally, the project team includes Luna Innovations, which lends its innovative material development capabilities to support DARPA’s vision of enhanced flexibility and scalability in missile propulsion.
This collaborative initiative aligns with Raytheon’s broader strategy on composable weapons, which aims to reduce cycle time, decrease costs, and accelerate missile development.
About Raytheon
Raytheon, a unit of RTX, stands as a premier provider of defense solutions, supporting the U.S. government and allied nations in safeguarding national sovereignty and security. With over a century of experience, Raytheon is at the forefront of technology, developing advanced capabilities in integrated air and missile defense, smart weapons, sensors, radars, interceptors, space systems, hypersonics, and missile defense across all domains.
About RTX
With a workforce exceeding 180,000, RTX is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of technology and science to redefine connectivity and global security. The organization excels in aviation solutions, integrated defense systems engineering, and the creation of next-gen technology to assist global clients in tackling their most pressing challenges. The company is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, with projected sales surpassing $88 billion in 2025.
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SOURCE RTX
Source: RTX (Raytheon) (2026-05-26 00:00:00)
