Saab and Anduril Join Forces to Revolutionize Rocket Motor Production
In a strategic move to enhance its Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB) capabilities, Saab has teamed up with emerging solid rocket motor manufacturer Anduril Rocket Motor Systems. This collaboration aims to design and produce solid rocket motors, as confirmed by representatives from both companies. The partnership marks a significant step for Anduril, as it seeks to establish itself as a leading solid rocket motor supplier in the United States, a market currently dominated by two major players.
The increased demand for munitions in the U.S., partly due to the need to replenish supplies sent to Ukraine, has prompted more companies to enter the specialized field of solid rocket motor production. Saab’s collaboration with Anduril is part of its broader strategy to expand its presence and capabilities in the U.S. “This is one of the areas that is really exciting for us, is building these strategic partners in the U.S., which is going to complement our broader capacity and capability growth strategy,” stated Brad Barnard, vice president and general manager of land systems at Saab’s U.S. subsidiary, in a conversation with Defense News.
Saab and Boeing have been partners since 2014 in developing the GLSDB, a cost-effective precision munition with 360-degree coverage. The system’s capabilities were demonstrated in 2019, leading to a U.S. Air Force contract in 2023 to support the U.S. European Command. To maintain the GLSDB’s relevance, Saab and Boeing identified the need to find a new rocket motor partner as a “first and most critical step” in their future roadmap, moving away from the outdated M26 MLRS solid rocket motor.
Anduril’s selection followed a competitive process, during which the company distinguished itself with its technical solutions and delivery timelines. “They really distinguished themselves through the process by leaning forward with the appropriate technical solution, leaning forward with their timeline for delivery,” Barnard noted.
Both companies are making significant investments to bolster their U.S. manufacturing capabilities. Saab is constructing a new facility in Grayling, Michigan, to produce the GLSDB domestically. Barnard mentioned that the company is approximately a year away from completing its first systems at this location. Meanwhile, Anduril has acquired a solid rocket motor company and is investing $75 million in a new production facility in McHenry, Mississippi.
Neil Thurgood, Anduril’s senior vice president, emphasized the importance of increasing competition in the solid rocket motor sector: “We believe and have conviction that in the solid rocket motor business in our nation, we need to have more competition. It is the intent of Anduril to be the third solid rocket motor provider for our nation.” The company aims to produce 6,000 motors annually, with full-rate production achievable roughly 100 days after initial certification.
Thurgood expressed enthusiasm for the partnership with Saab, highlighting the company’s readiness to scale quickly due to innovative manufacturing techniques. Anduril plans to deliver a motor design optimized for safety and cost-effectiveness, incorporating new suppliers and advanced manufacturing processes to transition the GLSDB motor into full-rate production by 2026. “We’re super excited to be a partner with Saab on this. We believe we’re in a really good position to scale quickly with the factory and the innovation that we use in the factories,” Thurgood said.
Anduril’s approach includes refining specific recipes for various munitions sizes and employing single-piece-flow manufacturing, a bladeless high-speed mixer, and other automation solutions to enhance production speed and quality. The modular design of the production facility allows for flexible manufacturing of different motors on the same production line, a departure from traditional methods. Once the propellant recipe for the GLSDB is finalized, Anduril will proceed with testing and qualifying the solid rocket motor, with a full system-level test anticipated in the second or third quarter of the upcoming year.
