RTX's Raytheon selected by DARPA to advance composable solid rocket motor technology

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RTX (NYSE: RTX) announced that its Raytheon business, with Northrop Grumman, received a phase two DARPA Burn n' Go contract to advance a composable solid rocket motor design. The effort targets flexible, scalable missile propulsion by enabling thrust-on-demand and supporting multiple missions from a common motor architecture.

Raytheon’s Advanced Technology team will mature and scale the solution and run demonstrations in increasingly realistic configurations, partnering with Northrop Grumman’s Allegany Ballistic Laboratory and Luna Innovations.

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Effort aims to deliver more flexible, scalable missile propulsion across weapon systems

ARLINGTON, Va., May 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon, an RTX (NYSE: RTX) business, in collaboration with Northrop Grumman, has been awarded a phase two contract from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Burn n' Go program to continue the development of a new solid rocket motor (SRM) design. This new capability will decouple post-manufactured motors from traditional, single-use designs, enabling a composable motor capable of meeting multiple mission needs by adjusting thrust on demand.

The award follows a highly accelerated, seven-month phase one effort in which Raytheon and Northrop Grumman demonstrated the feasibility of this new propulsion approach. The technology is intended to support a wider range of missions and weapon systems by giving the military more options from a common, single-use motor design. Under the phase two contract, Raytheon's Advanced Technology team will further mature and scale its solution, followed by a series of demonstrations to show how it performs in increasingly realistic rocket motor configurations.

"Solid rocket motor production has become a critical bottleneck for many missile programs," said 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 prime on the contract, Raytheon is partnering with Northrop Grumman's Allegany Ballistic Laboratory (ABL), which has extensive expertise in solid rocket motor design and manufacturing. The team also includes Luna Innovations, contributing its novel material development capabilities, to advance a solution that aligns with DARPA's vision for more flexible, scalable missile propulsion.

This collaborative approach builds on the Advanced Technology team's broader composable weapons strategy, which is focused on reducing cycle time, lowering costs and accelerating missile development.

About Raytheon
Raytheon, an RTX business, is a leading provider of defense solutions to help the U.S. government, our allies and partners defend their national sovereignty and ensure their security. For more than 100 years, Raytheon has developed new technologies and enhanced existing capabilities in integrated air and missile defense, smart weapons, missiles, advanced sensors and radars, interceptors, space-based systems, hypersonics and missile defense across land, air, sea and space.

About RTX
With more than 180,000 global employees, we push the limits of technology and science to redefine how we connect and protect our world. With industry-leading capabilities, we advance aviation, engineer integrated defense systems for operational success, and develop next-generation technology solutions and manufacturing to help global customers address their most critical challenges. The company, with 2025 sales of more than $88 billion, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.

For questions or to schedule an interview, please contact corporatepr@rtx.com.

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SOURCE RTX

FAQ

What did RTX (RTX) announce about the DARPA Burn n' Go program on May 26, 2026?

RTX announced Raytheon was awarded a phase two contract in DARPA’s Burn n' Go program. According to Raytheon, this phase continues development of a composable solid rocket motor to support more flexible, scalable missile propulsion across multiple weapon systems.

What is Raytheon developing for DARPA under the Burn n' Go phase two contract for RTX (RTX)?

Raytheon is developing a new composable solid rocket motor design for DARPA. According to Raytheon, the motor aims to decouple post-manufactured motors from traditional single-use designs, allowing thrust to be adjusted on demand for different mission needs.

How does the composable solid rocket motor technology benefit missile systems for RTX (RTX)?

The composable solid rocket motor is designed to support multiple missions from a common motor design. According to Raytheon, it aims to provide more flexible, scalable missile propulsion options and address bottlenecks in solid rocket motor production across weapon programs.

Who are Raytheon’s key partners on the DARPA Burn n' Go phase two contract for RTX (RTX)?

Raytheon is partnering with Northrop Grumman’s Allegany Ballistic Laboratory and Luna Innovations. According to Raytheon, ABL brings solid rocket motor design and manufacturing experience, while Luna contributes novel material development to advance DARPA’s flexible, scalable propulsion vision.

What work will Raytheon’s Advanced Technology team perform in phase two for RTX (RTX)?

Raytheon’s Advanced Technology team will further mature and scale the composable solid rocket motor solution. According to Raytheon, the team plans a series of demonstrations to show performance in increasingly realistic rocket motor configurations aligned with DARPA’s program objectives.

How does DARPA’s Burn n' Go program tie into Raytheon’s composable weapons strategy for RTX (RTX)?

The Burn n' Go work supports Raytheon’s broader composable weapons strategy. According to Raytheon, this strategy focuses on reducing cycle time, lowering costs and accelerating missile development by using modular, adaptable designs across multiple mission sets and weapon systems.