Solid Rocket Motors: Shared with Missiles
Why do solid rocket motors rank second, and how does missile demand affect space launch?
Chapter summary
solid rocket motors boost several launch vehicles (strap-on boosters for United Launch Alliance's Vulcan, upper stages and small launchers), power missile defence interceptors and are the main propulsion for tactical and strategic missiles.
Key takeaways
- 1
In the United States two incumbents, Northrop Grumman and L3Harris (which owns Aerojet Rocketdyne), produce the great majority.
- 2
Wars in Ukraine and the Middle East and the Golden Dome missile defence programme have created a surge in missile demand, and every motor plant has a long queue.
- 3
Both incumbents are expanding (L3Harris opened a plant in Arkansas on 20 October 2026 that it says doubles capacity; Northrop reports roughly doubling Utah output) and new entrants (Anduril, Ursa Major, X-Bow) are scaling.
Key figures in this chapter
- 2×
- L3Harris capacity at Camden (opened 20 Oct 2026)
- $1B
- Pentagon convertible preferred in L3Harris Missile Solutions
- ~13,000 → >25,000
- Northrop motors a year by 2028 (reported)
- $191M
- DPA solid motor package, May 2026
Source: L3Harris; reporting; Department of War
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