WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Department of War is investing $27.3 million in Defense Production Act Title III funding to expand domestic production of critical solid rocket motor components, part of a broader push to strengthen U.S. munitions manufacturing capacity and reduce supply chain bottlenecks.
The funding, awarded April 20 to Pacific Scientific Energetic Materials Company, will support expanded production of the universal Arm Fire Device, a safety component used in solid rocket motor applications.
“The DoW is focused on rapidly expanding and accelerating munitions production, driving a surge in demand for SRMs,” Michael Duffey, under secretary of war for acquisition and sustainment, stated. “Strengthening supply chains through smart investments will help alleviate SRM shortfalls by increasing capacity and reducing manufacturing lead times for key components.”
According to the department, PacSci EMC plans to build a fully integrated manufacturing facility consolidating production and support operations to improve efficiency and increase output for high-volume rocket motor programs.
The investment is part of a broader industrial base initiative overseen by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Policy. Since December 2024, the department has committed approximately $191 million across nine investments tied to the solid rocket motor industrial base under a Defense Industrial Base Consortium Other Transaction Agreement solicitation.
Federal officials noted that the investments are intended to expand domestic production capacity, modernize manufacturing infrastructure and reduce dependence on constrained suppliers for key rocket motor materials and components.
Previous awards under the initiative included investments in Anduril Industries, General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, Systima Technologies Inc. and other suppliers supporting nozzle production, insulation materials, additive manufacturing and carbon phenolic ablative materials used in rocket motors and re-entry systems.
The department stated the PacSci EMC award is one of five investments totaling approximately $482.6 million made by its DPA Purchases Office since the start of fiscal year 2026.
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