Army Taps 3D-Printing Firm to Mass-Produce Affordable Rocket Motors
X-Bow Systems has partnered with Leidos to manufacture solid rocket motors using additive manufacturing for the U.S. Army's Low-Cost Containerized Munition initiative.
Three-dimensional printing technology is streamlining the manufacture of sophisticated solid rocket motors. X-Bow Systems, which focuses on rocket motor production through additive manufacturing methods, has won a contract alongside Leidos to engineer and produce rocket boosters for the Army's Low-Cost Containerized Munition (LCCM) program. The LCCM represents one of several initiatives within the Department of War's "Arsenal of Freedom" effort, designed to strengthen domestic defense manufacturing capabilities.
Modern conflict is decided by how many rounds you can put downrange, not how exquisite each one is
Jason Hundley, X-Bow Systems founder and CEO
Hundley further noted that the partnership with Leidos would enable the company to "turn out combat-ready rocket motors at production scale, fast." Despite being established only in 2016, X-Bow Systems has already manufactured more than 2,100 combat-ready rocket motors, demonstrating the operational capability and technical proficiency required to meet the U.S. Army's production demands.