AFRL, Ursa Major Perform Flight Demo of Draper Liquid Rocket Engine

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and Ursa Major recently executed a flight of the Affordable Rapid Missile Demonstrator (ARMD) powered by the Draper liquid rocket engine, achieving supersonic speeds and demonstrating concepts of operations. This flight is an innovative step in the advancement of capabilities that strengthen deterrence and provide rapid global strike options.

“This project proves that we can transform and leverage our acquisition models to rapidly deliver critical technology advancements to deter and win in a future conflict,” said AFRL Commander and Air Force Technology Executive Officer Brig. Gen. Jason Bartolomei. “We are not just building a single missile; we are forging a new path toward a cost-effective, mass-producible deterrent for the nation.”

This sentiment is echoed by Ursa Major’s leadership, who emphasized their shared commitment to the speed and cost-effectiveness of the ARMD program. This project represents a new paradigm of acceleration of research and development of critical defense technologies rooted in fast-paced, effective public-private partnerships.

“This flight proves that you can get a vehicle with a safe, storable and throttleable liquid engine in the air quickly and affordably,” said Chris Spagnoletti, CEO, Ursa Major. “We went from contract to flight-ready of an all up round and propulsion system in just eight months.”

This demonstration of the Draper liquid rocket engine leverages several years of work made by Ursa Major on their Hadley liquid rocket engine, along with an enduring public-private partnership between AFRL and Ursa Major to jointly develop these new rocket propulsion technologies.

“ARMD represents a key milestone in our efforts to develop revolutionary, affordable and scalable liquid rocket engine technologies to win the wars of tomorrow,” said AFRL Rocket Propulsion Division Chief Dr. Javier Urzay.

Ursa Major is on contract with AFRL to advance the characterization of the Draper liquid rocket engine in flight.