US firm's solid rocket motor with grain propellant tech tested

Colorado-based Ursa Major successfully conducted static fire tests of an upgraded solid rocket motor featuring its Highly Loaded Grain (HLG) propellant technology, which delivers increased performance and extended range without enlarging the motor’s size. Developed in collaboration with BAE Systems, this extended range variant is designed for the APKWS laser-guidance kit, a combat-proven system that converts unguided 2.75-inch rockets into precision-guided munitions (PGMs) with high accuracy and minimal collateral damage. The successful tests pave the way for a planned flight demonstration in fall 2025. Ursa Major’s next-generation motor incorporates a flexible design architecture compatible with multiple missile systems and integrates with its Lynx Manufacturing System, a software-enabled additive manufacturing line that enhances production speed and scalability. This approach aims to overcome legacy industrial bottlenecks and rapidly provide critical solid rocket motor capacity for the U.S. and allied forces. The APKWS system, qualified on numerous U.S. Department of Defense platforms