What Firehawk Aerospace does

Firehawk Aerospace is a U.S. defense propulsion company that designs, tests, and manufactures solid rocket motors, hybrid rocket engines, base bleed motors, and 3D-printed energetic propellants. Founded around 2020 and headquartered in Addison, Texas, the company's core technology is a patented additive manufacturing process that produces thermoplastic-based solid rocket propellant in approximately six hours versus the roughly 60 days required by conventional cast-and-cure methods — a reduction of over 99% in per-unit production time. This process enables grain geometries not achievable through traditional casting and underpins an integrated product portfolio: 3D Printed Propellant (the foundational manufacturing platform), Solid Rocket Motors (validated through flight tests of Javelin, Stinger, and GMLRS-class analogs), Base Bleed Motors for extended-range artillery, and Hybrid Rocket Engines that combine liquid-style throttle control with solid logistics simplicity.

Firehawk generates revenue almost exclusively through U.S. Department of Defense contracting mechanisms, including SBIR (Phases II and III), Other Transaction Authority (OTA) prototype agreements, TACFI awards, and Direct Commercial Sales to defense primes. Named customers span the U.S. Army (Army Applications Laboratory, an OTA prototype for Hydra-70 warheads), the U.S. Air Force (AFWERX, AFRL, AFLCMC, AFTC), and General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, with a strategic investment and Board seat from Hanwha Defense USA. The go-to-market is sales-led and enterprise/government-focused, leveraging technical demonstrations, flight tests, and teaming agreements with primes to land and expand within DoD programs. The company is building an end-to-end multi-state manufacturing footprint — R&D in Texas, propellant production at a 320-acre campus under construction in Lawton, Oklahoma (targeting one million pounds of solid propellant annually), and full rocket system integration at a 636-acre DCMA-rated facility in Crawford, Mississippi — supported by roughly $100M of cumulative equity, strategic, and debt capital raised between 2020 and 2026.

Name

Firehawk Aerospace

Legal name

Firehawk Aerospace Inc.

Website

https://firehawkaerospace.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Firehawk Aerospace manufactures solid rocket motors, hybrid rocket engines, base bleed motors, and 3D-printed propellant for U.S. defense and allied customers, using patented additive manufacturing to cut propellant production time by over 99%.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Defense Propulsion and Energetics Manufacturing

NAICS

Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Propulsion Unit and Propulsion Unit Parts Manufacturing (336415), Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419)

SIC

Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Ordnance & Accessories, (No Vehicles/Guided Missiles) (3480)

akta.pro primary industry

Rocket Motors, Propellants & Warhead Integration (IMABAHAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Explosives, Energetics & Pyrotechnics (Military-Grade) (IMABAHAK), Guided Missile & Rocket Manufacturing (IMABAHAA), Military Aerospace Engines & Propulsion (IMABAMAD)

Keywords

• Additive manufacturing propulsion
• Solid rocket motors
• 3D printed propellant
• Defense energetics manufacturing
• Hybrid rocket engines

Headquarters

HQ city

Addison

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. U.S. Government Defense Contracts (SBIR/OTA): Firehawk generates revenue primarily through U.S. Department of Defense SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) contracts, Other Transaction Authority (OTA) prototype agreements, and direct defense contracts with military branches including the U.S. Army (Army Applications Laboratory), U.S. Air Force (AFWERX, AFRL, AFLCMC, AFTC), and U.S. Army via OTA prototype agreements for Hydra-70 rocket production. Revenue is project-based and milestone-driven.
2. Defense Prime Contractor Supply Agreements: Firehawk supplies propulsion components (base bleed motors, solid rocket motors, hybrid rocket engines) to defense primes like General Dynamics under Direct Commercial Sales arrangements, positioning Firehawk as a second-source domestic supplier for the U.S. defense industrial base.
3. Licensing and Technology Transfer (International): Firehawk is exploring licensing its 3D-printed propellant and rocket motor technology to allied defense industrial bases, particularly in Europe through partnerships with Presto Tech Horizons/CSG to strengthen NATO and allied defense supply chains.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Firehawk Aerospace manufactures solid rocket motors, energetic materials, and propellant for defense applications using a patented 3D-printed thermoplastic propellant process. Its product suite includes 3D-Printed Propellant (the foundational manufacturing platform), Solid Rocket Motors, Base Bleed Motors, and Hybrid Rocket Engines, built for tactical missile systems, man-portable launchers, extended-range artillery, and attritable/reusable UAV platforms. The company's offering is delivered through U.S. government SBIR/OTA contracts, direct commercial sales to defense primes, and emerging international licensing.

Product overview

Firehawk Aerospace offers an integrated suite of propulsion and energetics products centered on additive manufacturing technology. The portfolio consists of four core product lines: 3D Printed Propellant (the foundational manufacturing platform enabling all other products), Solid Rocket Motors, Base Bleed Motors, and Hybrid Rocket Engines. These products share a common additive manufacturing foundation and are designed to work together as a complete propulsion ecosystem for defense applications, with 3D-printed propellant serving as the enabling technology across all motor types.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 3D-Printed Propellant Digital-first additive manufacturing workflow for thermoplastic-based rocket propellant grains, enabling mission-ready fuel grains on demand with tunable performance and reduced supply chokepoints. Forms the technological foundation for Firehawk's other propulsion products and is sold/used to produce propellant grains for defense applications.
• Solid Rocket Motors Solid rocket motors manufactured via 3D-printed propellant, configurable across impulse classes, tested for repeatability, and built for man-portable launchers, tactical rockets, and retrofit programs for existing systems such as Javelin, Stinger, and GMLRS.
• Base Bleed Motors Propulsion systems designed to reduce drag and extend artillery range without adding stages, using precision-printed elements to extend engagement envelopes for artillery rockets, MLRS, and depot surge production. The 155mm variant is being developed and produced in partnership with General Dynamics.
• Hybrid Rocket Engines Controllable propulsion systems combining liquid-engine precision with solid-core simplicity, featuring 3D-printed fuel grains, simplified throttling control, and oxidizer tank systems. Targeted at attritable/reusable UAVs, tactical missiles, and rapid-response platforms.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 99% reduction in per-unit propellant production time (from 60-day process to ~6 hours) using 3D printing vs. traditional cast-and-cure methods
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical SystemscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 May 2026General Dynamics signed a teaming agreement with Firehawk to accelerate development and production of next-generation 155mm base bleed motors for extended-range artillery systems. The exclusive partnership establishes a Direct Commercial Sales arrangement to reinforce the U.S. defense industrial base by expanding manufacturing capacity. Firehawk plans to expand operations at its Lawton, Oklahoma facility as part of this agreement with the goal of becoming the world's leading producer of base bleed motors.
• UNION TechnologiescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 March 2026Strategic partnership to address critical gaps in the U.S. defense industrial base, specifically targeting the 155mm artillery supply chain. The collaboration combines UNION's software-defined factory platform and metal parts manufacturing with Firehawk's advanced energetics and propulsion capabilities. Both companies align quality standards, interfaces, and evaluation criteria to build scalable, high-volume production capacity for defense readiness.
• Nammo Talley (Acquisition of former facility)minorOthers · 19 December 2025Firehawk acquired the former Nammo Talley facility in Crawford, Mississippi in mid-February 2026 as part of its multi-state manufacturing expansion. The DCMA-rated rocket system integration facility significantly expands Firehawk's production capacity.
• JuggerBot 3DcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 August 2025JuggerBot 3D, a manufacturer based in Youngstown, Ohio, entered a strategic collaboration with Firehawk to develop next-generation solid rocket engines using additive manufacturing, supporting advanced flight and U.S. industrial capabilities. The partnership leverages JuggerBot's additive manufacturing expertise alongside Firehawk's propulsion and energetics technology.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• L3Harris (Aerojet Rocketdyne): L3Harris acquired Aerojet Rocketdyne, the dominant U.S. producer of solid rocket motors and propulsion systems for tactical missiles, strategic weapons, and space launch. Directly comparable as the primary incumbent Firehawk is positioning to disrupt with additive manufacturing in tactical solid rocket motors and energetics.
• Northrop Grumman: Northrop Grumman (via former Orbital ATK) is one of two legacy suppliers dominating U.S. solid rocket motor production for tactical and strategic missiles, including GMLRS-class systems. A direct peer that supplies the same DoD customer set Firehawk targets.
• Nammo: Nammo is a Nordic defense manufacturer producing tactical rocket motors, ammunition, and energetics, with a former U.S. facility (Nammo Talley, Crawford, MS) that Firehawk acquired. Comparable as a producer of military solid rocket motors and tactical propulsion.
• General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems: General Dynamics OTS is a current Firehawk partner and a major U.S. manufacturer of tactical missile systems and 155mm artillery components. Comparable as a producer and integrator of weapon systems that consume propulsion components Firehawk supplies.

Broad incumbents

• Hanwha Aerospace: Hanwha Aerospace (parent of strategic investor Hanwha Defense USA) is a Korean defense prime producing missiles, artillery, and aerospace systems. Comparable as a broad incumbent in tactical missile propulsion and allied defense manufacturing, and a key partner/investor in Firehawk.
• RTX (Raytheon): RTX (parent of Raytheon Missiles & Defense) is a major defense prime producing tactical missile systems including Javelin and Stinger that consume solid rocket motors. A historical Firehawk investor and customer-side comparable for the missile systems Firehawk's propulsion supports.
• Lockheed Martin: Lockheed Martin is a leading U.S. defense prime producing missiles, tactical systems, and integrated weapon platforms that consume propulsion hardware. Comparable as a broad incumbent in the same DoD customer ecosystem, though not a direct propulsion specialist.

Emerging players

• Ursa Major: Ursa Major is an emerging U.S. propulsion startup using additive manufacturing to produce rocket engines for both defense and space applications. Comparable as a young additive-manufacturing propulsion company targeting defense and tactical/spaceflight customers with novel manufacturing approaches.
• Karman Space & Defense: Karman Space & Defense is a propulsion and energetics manufacturer serving tactical missile, space launch, and hypersonic markets. Comparable as a propulsion-focused emerging player, with Kevin Schoonover (a Firehawk board member) having previously served as Karman VP of Defense Programs.

Regional players

• EOS Energetics (via Nammo acquisition lineage): EOS (Australian operations) and other allied energetics producers represent regional propulsion players supplying missile and artillery propellant in non-U.S. geographies. Comparable as allied regional propulsion producers addressing the same munitions supply gap Firehawk addresses for the U.S. market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/firehawk-aerospace-llc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds10 records

Investors28 records

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Firehawk Aerospace