US firm to produce 60 hypersonic motors for rocket, missile testing

L3Harris Technologies has received a letter of intent to produce 60 Zeus solid rocket motors for Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, aiming to expand U.S. industrial capacity for advanced missile and hypersonic testing programs. This order follows the successful development and flight testing of the Zeus 1 and Zeus 2 motors by Kratos, enabling larger-scale production. The Zeus motors are designed to replace older suborbital rocket motors, offering greater thrust, efficiency, and compatibility with existing launch platforms, thereby facilitating longer flights, higher speeds, and more frequent test launches. The Zeus program supports the Pentagon’s Multi-Service Advanced Capability Hypersonic Test Bed project, which seeks to increase the frequency and flexibility of hypersonic system testing. By addressing current limitations in testing infrastructure, the program aims to accelerate the development and deployment of hypersonic weapons. L3Harris designed the motors in Huntsville, Alabama, with production planned at its large Camden, Arkansas facility, which already manufactures a wide range