Raytheon and Avio sign MoU to establish new solid rocket motor facility in US

RTX’s Raytheon business, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to help Italian rocket propulsion company Avio establish a state-of-the-art solid rocket motor (SRM) facility in the United States, RTX announced on 10 November 2025.

The new facility will serve serve Raytheon and other customers as a vertically integrated merchant supplier, with Raytheon having preferred access to a share of the Avio plant production capacity to meet future demand.

This strategic partnership marks another significant milestone in the collaboration between the two companies, building on a contract signed in July 2024 for preliminary engineering work on the Mk 104 rocket motor and a recent purchase order to fund this through a critical design review and procurement of long lead material for qualification.

“This agreement will help establish an additional supplier of solid rocket motors within the US and demonstrates our commitment to meeting the increasing demands of our customers,” Bob Butz, vice president of operations, supply chain and quality at Raytheon, wa quoted as saying in a company press release. “By leveraging Avio’s experience and unique capabilities in solid rocket motor propulsion development and manufacturing, we’re strengthening our capacity for critical weapon systems.”

“The new Avio facility will be instrumental in meeting the growing demand for advanced SRMs and will contribute to the continued success of both companies in delivering high-quality defence products,” RTX stated. “Avio and Raytheon are committed to working together to ensure the successful implementation of this initiative and to support the defence needs of the United States and its allies.”

“We are proud to be partnered with Raytheon for their future production capacity needs at our new factory facility,” said Jim Syring, CEO of Avio USA. “We look forward to leveraging the incredible pedigree and experience of our parent company Avio SpA as we build our factory and establish in the US as a true vertically integrated merchant supplier.”