Anduril Successfully Fires Hypersonic Solid Rocket Motor, Boosts Production to Support US Navy’s Advanced Missile Systems

Anduril Industries has achieved a significant milestone by successfully testing its new hypersonic solid rocket motor (SRM), a key step in advancing U.S. missile capabilities. Alongside the successful test, the American defense firm is rapidly expanding its production infrastructure to meet future demand from the U.S. Navy’s STANDARD Missile Program.

To support this, Anduril has invested over $75 million in upgrading its SRM manufacturing facility in Mississippi. This upgraded facility is expected to be fully operational by July and features a cutting-edge production model known as "single-piece flow." Unlike traditional batch manufacturing, this method ensures each rocket motor is built individually and moves seamlessly through every phase of assembly without delays. The combination of automation and advanced data analytics further enhances efficiency, reducing idle time, cutting production costs, and ensuring consistent quality at scale.

The latest 21-inch (53-centimeter) solid rocket motors, built using this next-gen process, have already undergone two live-fire tests in collaboration with the U.S. Navy — both of which were successful. Although Anduril has not released detailed specifications such as the range, speed, or thrust output of the new SRM, the positive test results suggest the motors are performing as expected under demanding hypersonic conditions.

These advancements follow a $19 million contract awarded to Anduril by the U.S. Navy in June 2024. The contract is aimed at developing a high-performance solid rocket motor to power the Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) — a versatile missile system capable of engaging enemy aircraft, ballistic missiles, and surface ships. The SM-6 is a cornerstone of the Navy’s layered defense strategy, and improved propulsion systems will only enhance its multi-role effectiveness.

While specific test details remain classified, Anduril emphasized that the trial marks a turning point in both innovation and manufacturing agility. “This successful test firing demonstrates that innovation and efficiency can go hand in hand, simultaneously expanding the industrial base and increasing agility in production,” the company stated.

With this dual focus on performance and scalable production, Anduril positions itself as a key contributor to the modernization of America’s missile defense architecture — signaling a new era where cutting-edge engineering meets industrial speed and precision.