Rocket engine manufacturer Ursa Major is accelerating the development of its Draper engine. The startup is collaborating with US agencies and military contractors to make the engine available for use in next-generation missile systems.
Ursa Major aims to swiftly complete the testing phase of the Draper liquid rocket engine. The goal is for the engine to be available for missiles that will form a part of President Donald Trump’s Iron Dome missile defense system.
Draper’s use of non-cryogenic kerosene peroxide fuel makes it easily deployable, while still enabling it to power missiles in space and in the atmosphere.
In 2023, the US Air Force awarded Ursa Major a contract to develop its Draper and Arroway engines.
At the time of that announcement, Ursa Major founder and CEO Joe Laurienti said, “Draper will become the foundation of America’s counter-hypersonic capabilities. Its on-demand launch capability and increased maneuverability make it an ideal hypersonic interceptor and allow it to better simulate hypersonic threats as a target vehicle.”
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