US boosts solid rocket motor production with $32.7M investment

The U.S. Department of War has announced a $32.7 million investment under the Defense Production Act (DPA) Title III to expand the domestic industrial base for solid rocket motors (SRMs), addressing critical supply bottlenecks amid rising missile demand. The funding is allocated to two companies: $5 million to Systima Technologies Inc. in Washington to establish a dedicated SRM nozzle production line and optimize complex nozzle manufacturing, and $27.7 million to R.E. Darling Co., Inc. (REDAR) in Arizona to modernize and expand production of SRM case insulation materials, which protect motors from extreme heat and erosion. These components are vital for missile performance and reliability. This investment is part of a broader effort to strengthen U.S. munitions manufacturing, reduce supply chain risks, and accelerate production amid a surge in demand for propellant-based weaponry. The DPA Title III program has now made eight SRM-related investments totaling $120 million, within a larger