Raytheon and Avio USA Enhance Mk 104 Rocket Motor Development
Funding Agreement
Raytheon, a subsidiary of RTX (NYSE: RTX), has confirmed a significant purchase order valued at up to $26 million with Avio USA. This funding is earmarked for ongoing engineering endeavors concerning the Mk 104 dual-thrust rocket motor, a critical component supporting Raytheon’s Standard Missile portfolio.
Project Timeline and Impact
This recent funding initiative follows a contract established 13 months ago, focused on initial engineering activities for the Mk 104 system. The current investment will:
- Commit resources through the Critical Design Review (CDR) phase
- Facilitate procurement of long-lead materials necessary for qualification
- Augment the production capacity of solid rocket motors
Barbara Borgonovi, President of Naval Power at Raytheon, emphasized the strategic importance of this order: “This purchase order signifies a pivotal advancement in bolstering our supply chain, ensuring the resilience and availability of the Mk 104 rocket motor. By strategically diversifying our sourcing of essential materials, we enhance our capability to fulfill customer requirements and fortify our production infrastructure for the Standard Missile series.”
Development Milestones Achieved
Before securing this funding, Raytheon and Avio USA successfully executed both a System Requirements Review (SRR) and a Preliminary Design Review (PDR). These accomplishments have established a robust foundation for subsequent phases of both development and manufacturing.
Commitment to Quality and Innovation
Vice Admiral (Ret.) James Syring, CEO of Avio USA, highlighted the mission-critical role of the Mk 104: “We are privileged to continue advancing the Mk 104, which is essential not only for the United States but also for our allied nations. We eagerly anticipate moving toward full qualification and future production.”
Giulio Ranzo, CEO of Avio SpA, underscored the collaborative dynamics: “Avio is enthusiastic about supporting Avio USA in the Mk 104 projects, leveraging our extensive competency in solid rocket motor engineering, material characterization, and testing. Our focus is on enhancing Raytheon’s expedited capability to deliver essential systems to their customers.”
