Defense & Military
Hanwha Invests in Firehawk to Advance 3D Printed Rocket Motors
Hanwha Defense USA partners with Firehawk Aerospace to accelerate 3D printed solid rocket motor production, boosting US defense supply chains.
A New Era in Propulsion: Hanwha’s Strategic Investment in Firehawk Aerospace
In the world of defense and aerospace, advancements in Propulsion technology are the bedrock of military capability. The ability to launch faster, more reliable, and more effective munitions is a critical component of national security. Recently, the industry has turned its attention to a significant development: a strategic Investments by Hanwha Defense USA, a subsidiary of the South Korean giant Hanwha Aerospace, into the Dallas-based innovator, Firehawk Aerospace. This move is more than just a financial transaction; it signals a pivotal shift toward modernizing the very foundation of rocket and missile systems.
The collaboration aims to accelerate the development and production of Firehawk’s groundbreaking 3D-printed solid rocket motors. This technology stands to address long-standing vulnerabilities within the U.S. defense industrial base, particularly concerning the supply chain for energetics and munitions. For decades, the production of solid rocket propellant has relied on traditional, often slow and hazardous, Manufacturing processes. Firehawk’s approach promises to upend this status quo, offering a faster, safer, and more cost-effective alternative that could redefine military readiness for the United States and its allies.
As we explore this Partnerships, it becomes clear that its implications extend far beyond the two companies involved. It touches upon key themes of technological disruption, supply chain resilience, and the strategic imperatives of modern warfare. The investment from a global defense leader like Hanwha validates Firehawk’s innovative vision and provides the resources needed to scale its technology from development to full-scale production, potentially giving warfighters a decisive advantage on the battlefield.
The Alliance Forging the Future of Energetics
The strategic partnership between Firehawk Aerospace and Hanwha Defense USA is built on a shared vision of transforming the propulsion industry. The investment is specifically targeted at advancing Firehawk’s solid rocket motor technology, scaling up the manufacturing of its 3D-printed propellant, and accelerating the development of fully integrated missile systems. This focused approach ensures that capital is directed toward overcoming the final hurdles to widespread adoption and deployment.
This collaboration brings together a disruptive innovator with an established global powerhouse. Firehawk Aerospace, led by CEO Will Edwards, has carved a niche in advanced energetics with its patented additive manufacturing process. The company has been steadily building momentum, underscored by a recent, oversubscribed $60 million Series C funding round. On the other side, Hanwha Defense USA, under President Mike Smith, represents the strategic U.S. arm of Hanwha Aerospace. Hanwha has been actively seeking to invest in and partner with pioneering American defense firms to bolster its capabilities and presence within the U.S. market, making Firehawk a natural fit for its forward-looking Strategy.
The leaders of both organizations have highlighted the synergy behind the investment. Their perspectives underscore the dual focus on technological superiority and industrial resilience. This is not merely an upgrade to existing systems but a fundamental rethinking of how critical defense components are made.
“This investment from Hanwha supports our mission of bringing solid rocket motor technology into the 21st century to address the challenges of the current industrial supply base and provide the warfighter with a decisive advantage.”
“Hanwha is developing strategic partnerships and making strategic investments in U.S. defense companies such as Firehawk, which is at the forefront of energetics and propulsion technology. [Firehawk’s] transformative approach to propulsion production redefines what is possible within the industry while directly addressing U.S. supply chain challenges and modernizing our military.”
The Technological Edge: 3D-Printing Rocket Motors
At the heart of this partnership lies Firehawk Aerospace’s core innovation: the use of additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, to produce solid rocket propellant. Traditional methods for creating solid rocket motors are complex, time-consuming, and involve handling volatile materials in ways that present significant safety risks. These processes have become a bottleneck in the defense supply chain, limiting the speed at which munitions can be produced, especially during times of high demand.
A Revolution in Manufacturing
Firehawk’s patented technology changes the game entirely. By 3D-printing the propellant, the company can create intricate fuel grain structures that are impossible to achieve with conventional casting methods. This allows for the precise tailoring of a rocket motor’s performance characteristics, such as its burn rate and thrust profile, to meet specific mission requirements. The result is a high-performing, customized munition that can be designed and produced in a fraction of the time.
The advantages of this approach are manifold. First, it dramatically increases safety by reducing the amount of handling required for energetic materials. Second, it is significantly more cost-effective, as it streamlines the manufacturing process and reduces waste. Finally, and perhaps most critically, it provides unprecedented speed and flexibility, enabling the rapid production of munitions to replenish stockpiles or respond to emerging threats. This agility directly addresses a key vulnerability in the current defense industrial base.
To support this technological leap, Firehawk is making substantial investments in its infrastructure. The company is in the process of building a 340-acre production facility in Lawton, Oklahoma, which will serve as a hub for its scaled-up manufacturing efforts. In addition, Firehawk operates two test facilities in West Texas, including an expansive 30-square-mile launch range, providing the necessary space to rigorously test and validate its advanced propulsion systems. This physical expansion is a clear indicator of the company’s transition from a research-focused Startups to a key player in the defense production landscape.
Broader Implications for the Defense Industry
The Hanwha-Firehawk partnership is not happening in a vacuum. It is a direct response to and a reflection of broader trends shaping the global defense sector. The increasing focus on supply chain resilience, the rapid pace of technological change, and a volatile geopolitical climate have created a fertile ground for innovations that can deliver a tangible military edge.
Strengthening the Industrial Base
One of the most pressing challenges facing the U.S. military is the fragility of its domestic supply chain for critical components like rocket motors. The conflict in Ukraine has served as a stark reminder of how quickly stockpiles of munitions can be depleted in a major conflict. Firehawk’s technology offers a path toward a more distributed, resilient, and responsive industrial base, capable of surging production when needed without relying on antiquated processes.
The strong investor confidence in Firehawk further validates this vision. The investment from Hanwha follows a $60 million Series C round led by 1789 Capital, with notable participation from firms like Draper Associates, Decisive Point, and Stellar Ventures. This diverse group of investors signals a broad consensus in the financial community that Firehawk’s technology is not just promising but essential for future defense readiness.
Furthermore, the investment carries significant international weight. Among the recent investors is Presto Tech Horizons (PTH), a fund established through a partnership between the European venture capital firm Presto Ventures and the Czech industrial giant Czechoslovak Group (CSG). This European interest highlights a shared recognition among NATO allies of the need to strengthen the transatlantic defense supply chain and source critical technologies locally. It points to a future where allied nations can collaborate more effectively to produce the advanced capabilities needed to ensure collective security.
Conclusion: A Launch Point for a New Generation of Defense
The strategic investment by Hanwha Defense USA into Firehawk Aerospace marks a critical milestone in the evolution of propulsion technology. It is an alliance that combines Firehawk’s disruptive 3D-printing innovation with Hanwha’s global manufacturing expertise and market access. This partnership is poised to do more than just build better rocket motors; it aims to fundamentally reshape the defense industrial base, making it faster, safer, and more resilient.
Looking ahead, the successful scaling of Firehawk’s technology could have profound implications for U.S. and allied military capabilities. It promises a future where tailored munitions can be developed and deployed with unprecedented speed, providing a decisive advantage in any potential conflict. This collaboration serves as a powerful example of how strategic investment in forward-thinking technology can directly address today’s national security challenges and lay the groundwork for a stronger, more agile defense posture for generations to come.
FAQ
Question: What is Firehawk Aerospace’s key innovation?
Answer: Firehawk Aerospace’s primary innovation is its patented use of additive manufacturing (3D printing) to produce solid rocket propellant and motors. This method allows for the creation of customized, high-performance munitions more quickly, safely, and cost-effectively than traditional manufacturing processes.
Question: Why did Hanwha Defense USA invest in Firehawk?
Answer: Hanwha Defense USA invested in Firehawk as part of a strategic effort to partner with innovative U.S. defense companies. They recognize Firehawk’s technology as a transformative approach to propulsion that can address critical U.S. supply chain challenges and help modernize the military’s capabilities.
Question: What are the main benefits of 3D-printing rocket propellant?
Answer: The main benefits include greater speed and flexibility in production, enhanced safety by minimizing the handling of volatile materials, lower costs due to streamlined manufacturing, and the ability to create highly tailored and better-performing rocket motors for specific missions.
Sources
Photo Credit: Firehawk Aerospace
Defense & Military
Boeing Wins $552M Navy Contract for MQ-25A Stingray Production
The U.S. Navy awarded Boeing up to $552M to begin low-rate initial production of the MQ-25A Stingray unmanned tanker.
The Boeing Company has secured a contract modification valued at up to $552,053,000 from the U.S. Navy to begin low-rate initial production of the MQ-25A Stingray. The award transitions the world’s first fully integrated, carrier-based unmanned aerial vehicle from its development phase into active production.
Announced by the U.S. Department of Defense on September 14, 2026, the undefinitized, fixed-price-incentive modification covers the delivery of three Lot One aircraft and funds advance acquisition of long-lead components for three Lot Two airframes. The MQ-25A is designed to provide organic aerial refueling capabilities to Carrier Air Wings, a role that will free up manned F/A-18E/F Super Hornets for strike missions and extend their operational service life.
Production scope and timeline
The modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price advance acquisition contract obligates $164,428,480 at the time of award. This includes $100,000,000 in fiscal 2025 aircraft procurement funds and $64,428,480 in fiscal 2026 funds. Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) is the contracting activity.
Work will be distributed across multiple North-American facilities. The majority of the Manufacturing will take place in St. Louis, Missouri, which accounts for 56 percent of the contract scope. Other significant locations include Torrance, California; Indianapolis, Indiana; and Quebec, Canada. The Department of Defense expects the work under this specific modification to conclude in July 2031.
Program milestones and development hurdles
The contract award follows a series of recent program milestones. On April 25, 2026, the Navy completed the first successful test flight of a production-representative MQ-25A. Less than a month later, Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao granted Milestone C approval, officially authorizing the program to enter the Production and Deployment phase.
Capt. Daniel Fucito, the Unmanned Carrier Aviation Program Manager, highlighted the significance of the award in a Navy statement.
“Awarding this first LRIP contract marks a pivotal transition from development to operational reality and is a testament to the focused effort of our joint government and industry teams.”
The transition to production comes after the program navigated several development delays. According to the Pentagon’s April 2026 Modernized Selected Acquisition Report, technical risks and a labor strike at Boeing contributed to pushing the expected initial operational capability (IOC) to 2029. This represents a four-year delay from the program’s original timeline. Initial deliveries from the Lot One contract are also expected to begin in 2029.
The total program of record calls for 76 air vehicles. Seven test aircraft are currently in production at Boeing facilities in St. Louis and a dedicated MQ-25 site in Mascoutah, Illinois. Official sources show a slight discrepancy in the exact valuation of the new contract, with the Department of Defense listing a not-to-exceed value of $552,053,000 and a concurrent Navy release valuing the Lot One award at $562,000,000.
AirPro News analysis
Moving the MQ-25A into low-rate initial production is a critical milestone for both the U.S. Navy and Boeing. For the Navy, fielding an unmanned tanker capable of delivering 14,000 pounds of fuel over 500 nautical miles fundamentally alters carrier strike group geometry. It relieves the F/A-18E/F fleet from the heavy burden of buddy-tanking, preserving flight hours on tactical fighters for their primary combat roles.
For Boeing, locking in the LRIP contract provides stability to a defense program that has faced intense scrutiny over schedule slips. While the 2029 IOC target reflects the reality of recent supply chain and labor challenges, transitioning from test articles to production airframes indicates that the core technical risks are now manageable. We expect the focus will now shift heavily toward production scaling and the integration of the Stingray into the carrier air wing’s daily operational rhythm.
Sources: U.S. Department of Defense
Photo Credit: Boeing
Defense & Military
Lockheed Martin Vectis CCA Expands to Five Prototypes
Lockheed Martin Skunk Works expands Vectis to five prototypes, targeting first flight by end of 2027 and a $20M unit cost.
Lockheed Martin Skunk Works has expanded production of its internally funded Vectis uncrewed aircraft program to five prototypes, unveiling a full-scale model of the autonomous wingman on September 14, 2026, at the Air, Space & Cyber Conference in National Harbor, Maryland.
The expansion, announced via a company press release, signals Lockheed Martin’s continued investment in the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) space. The Vectis is designed to operate alongside crewed fighters such as the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II and F-22 Raptor, utilizing the manufacturers‘s MDCX autonomy command and control platform.
Design and technical specifications
The Vectis is classified as a Group 5 uncrewed aircraft, weighing more than 1,320 pounds. It features a tailless, lambda-wing design measuring 34 feet in length with a 38-foot wingspan. The airframe incorporates a submerged dorsal engine inlet, a design choice intended to reduce frontal drag and minimize the risk of foreign object debris (FOD) ingestion.
This inlet configuration aligns with the U.S. Air Force (USAF) Agile Combat Employment (ACE) concept, which emphasizes operating from austere or debris-prone locations. The aircraft is powered by a Williams International FJ44-4 turbofan engine, which delivers 3,600 pounds of thrust. For combat operations, the Vectis includes an internal weapons bay capable of carrying munitions such as the AIM-120 advanced medium-range air-to-air missile.
Rapid development and production timeline
Lockheed Martin first unveiled the Vectis concept on September 21, 2025, and confirmed the selection of the Williams International engine on December 18, 2025. The program has utilized digital engineering to accelerate its timeline. According to the manufacturer, the project moved from the first drawing to a wind tunnel fly-off in less than two months. The first digital build was completed in six months, and the first physical part was released at the eight-month mark.
Ron Fehlen, Vice President and General Manager of Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, confirmed that development work on the four additional aircraft is already underway. The company is targeting the end of 2027 for the first flight of the Vectis prototype.
“The team is extremely excited as these parts start to come together, to actually get the wheels off the ramp by the end of 2027,” Fehlen stated.
Market positioning and cost targets
While Lockheed Martin was not selected for the first increment of the USAF CCA program, the company is positioning the Vectis for future increments and potential contracts with the U.S. Navy (USN) and U.S. Marine Corps (USMC). The USAF has publicly targeted a cost of approximately $20 million per CCA unit. Lockheed Martin has stated that the Vectis is targeting a competitive price point within this range, though exact unit costs remain undisclosed.
Fehlen noted that the aircraft is designed to be survivable, affordable, and flexible across a range of missions required by military customers.
AirPro News analysis
We view Lockheed Martin’s decision to self-fund four additional prototypes as a strategic commitment to remaining competitive in the autonomous combat aircraft market. By targeting the $20 million unit cost and emphasizing austere operational capabilities through the dorsal inlet design, the manufacturer is positioning Vectis as a mature, ready-to-produce option for future CCA increments. The rapid development timeline also demonstrates the efficacy of Skunk Works’ digital engineering processes, which will be critical for meeting the high-volume production demands anticipated for uncrewed wingman programs.
Sources: Lockheed Martin
Photo Credit: Lockheed Martin
Defense & Military
South Korea Approves $2.4B MH-60R Seahawk Acquisition
DAPA approved a $2.4B project to acquire ~20 MH-60R Seahawks for the Republic of Korea Navy, replacing its Westland Lynx fleet.
This article summarizes reporting by Asiae.
South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) approved a 3.24 trillion won ($2.4 billion) project on September 15, 2026, to acquire approximately 20 additional Lockheed Martin MH-60R Seahawk helicopters for the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN). The acquisition, scheduled to run from 2025 through 2032, will replace the navy’s aging fleet of shipborne Westland Lynx helicopters and expand its anti-submarine warfare capabilities.
The approval of the Maritime Operational Helicopter-II project follows a May 18, 2026, clearance by the U.S. State Department for a potential $3 billion Foreign Military Sale of up to 24 MH-60R airframes to South Korea. According to reporting by Asiae, the final number of helicopters will be solidified during concluding contract negotiations, though DAPA currently projects a fleet addition of around 20 aircraft.
Expanding the Republic of Korea Navy fleet
The ROKN is already in the process of integrating the Lockheed Martin MH-60R Seahawk into its frontline operations. South Korea signed an initial $878 million contracts in December 2020 for 12 of the maritime helicopters. The first airframe from that order was delivered in December 2024.
Operational deployment of the initial batch began recently, with the first two Seahawks entering active service on April 1, 2026, at the 62nd Maritime Aviation Squadron based in Jinhae. The newly approved second batch will significantly increase the ROKN’s operational footprint and surface fleet integration.
Brigadier General Kang Seong-kwon, head of the Aircraft Business Division at DAPA, highlighted the platform’s multi-role utility during the procurement process.
“The new MH-60R maritime operational helicopter is capable of performing various missions, including anti-submarine, anti-ship, and search and rescue operations,” Kang stated.
Technical specifications and parallel defense projects
The Lockheed Martin MH-60R Seahawk is designed for a maximum takeoff weight of 10.2 tons and can reach a maximum speed of 180 knots. The platform is equipped with advanced sensor suites and weapon systems tailored for detecting and neutralizing underwater and surface threats, a critical requirement for South Korea’s maritime defense strategy.
During the same September 15, 2026, Defense Project Promotion Committee meeting, DAPA authorized a separate 2.16 trillion won initiative. This parallel project aims to indigenously develop vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by 2036, further modernizing the country’s aerial surveillance capabilities.
AirPro News analysis
We view DAPA’s rapid follow-on order for the Lockheed Martin MH-60R Seahawk as a strong indicator of the ROKN’s satisfaction with the initial 2020 batch. Transitioning from the legacy Westland Lynx to a unified fleet of MH-60Rs streamlines maintenance, training, and interoperability with United States Navy assets operating in the Indo-Pacific region. The slight discrepancy between the U.S. State Department’s approval for 24 airframes and DAPA’s stated goal of “approximately 20” is standard in Foreign Military Sales, where the maximum approved quantity often provides a buffer for final budget negotiations and equipment configurations.
Sources: Asiae
Photo Credit: Lockheed Martin
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