Raytheon Warns: Rocket-Motor Shortage Continues to Limit Missile Production!

PARIS — At the recent Paris Air Show, Raytheon officials reported ongoing challenges in the production of certain missiles due to a bottleneck in the supply of rocket motors.

Barbara Borgonovi, who leads Raytheon’s naval power unit which manufactures missiles like the SM-2, SM-6, and the AIM-9X Sidewinder, highlighted that the scarcity of rocket motors continues to hinder their operations, as discussed in a media briefing at the air show.

Borgonovi emphasized the importance of addressing these supply issues not only to meet current demand but also in anticipation of future needs. “We are working to get more suppliers qualified for our rocket motor programs to keep up with the projected increase in demand,” she stated.

The challenge of securing enough rocket motors has been a significant obstacle in increasing the production of advanced munitions in the United States. This is compounded by a historical consolidation in the industry, which has reduced the number of domestic rocket motor suppliers. Additionally, recent conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East have significantly depleted missile stockpiles of the U.S. and its allies.

In response, missile manufacturers and their suppliers are looking to enhance and diversify their production capabilities by expanding existing facilities or adding new lines dedicated to rocket motor production.

Supporting its current suppliers is a key strategy for Raytheon, with Aerojet Rocketdyne, a company owned by L3Harris and overseen by Borgonovi, being a primary supplier. Aerojet has made significant investments, matching its entire 2024 output of primary rocket motors by May 2025, Borgonovi reported.

Furthermore, Raytheon is working to broaden its partnerships with already successful providers. Borgonovi mentioned Nammo, a Norwegian company, as a crucial supplier for the rocket motors used in the AMRAAM air-to-air missile and the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM). She noted that the supply chain for AMRAAM is robust and that ESSM production is also well-supported by Nammo.

“Our goal is to expand our network of suppliers to include more established providers,” Borgonovi added. She highlighted that Nammo and Avio from Italy, another Raytheon partner, are setting up manufacturing facilities in the U.S. to produce rocket motors for American defense programs.

A 2017 report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office noted a significant consolidation in the U.S. solid rocket motor industry, reducing the number of manufacturers from six to two over two decades, and also a decrease in the number of suppliers.

Recently, the U.S. Navy and allied forces have launched hundreds of missiles in the Red Sea in response to Houthi attacks on shipping since October 2023. Additionally, allied nations have supplied Ukraine with thousands of missiles to defend against the Russian invasion.

Borgonovi stressed the need for readiness and scalability in production to meet both current and future demands, stating, “We must ensure timely delivery to the fleet, given the extensive use, and we must also scale up for future conflicts and demands.”

Raytheon is also exploring partnerships with companies like Ursa Major and Anduril to incorporate new technologies and innovative methods in manufacturing and design. In December, Raytheon and Ursa Major successfully tested a new long-range solid rocket motor for the U.S. Army, employing additive manufacturing techniques to reduce costs.