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Air Force

Air Force Taps Ursa Major To Integrate Tactical Flight Demonstrator For Hypersonic Uses

By Cal Biesecker

Friday, May 2nd, 2025

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Air Force Taps Ursa Major To Integrate Tactical Flight Demonstrator For Hypersonic Uses

Artist's rendering of Ursa Major tactical missile powered by the company's Draper liquid rocket engine. Image: Ursa Major

The Air Force Research Laboratory last Thursday awarded Ursa Major a $28.6 million contract to serve as the integrator of a tactical flight demonstrator that will be powered by the company’s Draper liquid rocket engine, which is safely storable like a solid rocket motor but provides the flexible capabilities and range of liquid engines. The Colorado-based startup is working toward an initial flight test later this year, Ben Nicholson, Ursa Major’s chief growth officer, told Defense Daily last Friday. It…

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