RTX’s Raytheon and Avio USA Expand Collaboration to Accelerate Mk 104 Rocket Motor Development
- MM24 Multimedia Desk
- Oct 7
- 2 min read
Raytheon, an RTX business, and Avio USA have deepened their collaboration with a new purchase order valued at up to $26 million to advance engineering efforts on the Mk 104 dual-thrust rocket motor, which supports Raytheon’s Standard Missile franchise. Announced from Arlington, Virginia, on September 24, 2025, the agreement marks another milestone in the companies’ partnership to strengthen production capacity for critical defense propulsion systems.
The new purchase order comes roughly 13 months after Raytheon and Avio USA first entered into a contract for preliminary engineering work on the Mk 104 rocket motor. The latest phase provides funding through the Critical Design Review (CDR) stage and supports the procurement of long-lead materials necessary for qualification testing. This additional investment is expected to expand and accelerate production capabilities for solid rocket motors (SRMs)—a critical component in maintaining a resilient supply chain amid growing global defense demand.
According to Barbara Borgonovi, president of Naval Power at Raytheon, the funding represents an essential step toward enhancing supply chain strength and ensuring the continuous availability of the Mk 104 rocket motor. “This purchase order represents an important step in expanding our supply chain to ensure the resilience and availability of the Mk 104 rocket motor,” Borgonovi said. “By strategically implementing second sourcing for critical materials, we are not only enhancing our ability to meet customer demand but also strengthening our production capacity for the Standard Missile franchise.”
Raytheon, an RTX business, and Avio USA have deepened their collaboration with a new purchase order valued at up to $26 million to advance engineering efforts on the Mk 104 dual-thrust rocket motor, which supports Raytheon’s Standard Missile franchise. Announced from Arlington, Virginia, on September 24, 2025, the agreement marks another milestone in the companies’ partnership to strengthen production capacity for critical defense propulsion systems.
The new purchase order comes roughly 13 months after Raytheon and Avio USA first entered into a contract for preliminary engineering work on the Mk 104 rocket motor. The latest phase provides funding through the Critical Design Review (CDR) stage and supports the procurement of long-lead materials necessary for qualification testing. This additional investment is expected to expand and accelerate production capabilities for solid rocket motors (SRMs)—a critical component in maintaining a resilient supply chain amid growing global defense demand.
According to Barbara Borgonovi, president of Naval Power at Raytheon, the funding represents an essential step toward enhancing supply chain strength and ensuring the continuous availability of the Mk 104 rocket motor. “This purchase order represents an important step in expanding our supply chain to ensure the resilience and availability of the Mk 104 rocket motor,” Borgonovi said. “By strategically implementing second sourcing for critical materials, we are not only enhancing our ability to meet customer demand but also strengthening our production capacity for the Standard Missile franchise.”
Together, Raytheon and Avio USA are strengthening the industrial base for rocket motor production, ensuring the Mk 104 program continues to deliver reliable propulsion solutions that underpin critical defense capabilities for the U.S. and its allies.
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