Ursa Major, a leading American aerospace company specializing in rocket propulsion, has been awarded a significant contract valued at $32.9 million. This multi-year agreement entails the development and delivery of 16 upgraded Hadley H13 engines, intended to support hypersonic test programs.
According to a recent press release from the company, these advanced engines are slated for delivery to Stratolaunch, a firm engaged in flight test services. The collaboration aims to extend a series of successful flight initiatives and accommodate an increasing pace of operations in the hypersonic domain.
Dan Jablonsky, CEO of Ursa Major, emphasized the contract’s importance, stating that it directly contributes to U.S. hypersonic testing capabilities and the broader objective of accelerating high-speed flight programs vital for national security. He also mentioned that as a key partner and provider of hypersonic propulsion to Stratolaunch, the company is committed to delivering tangible capabilities to the field with speed, scalability, and uncompromised performance.
The Hadley H13 is an enhanced variant of the existing Hadley engine, engineered to boost engine reusability through additional starts. This design is expected to lower the cost per flight while enabling new test objectives and mission profiles. Ursa Major’s Hadley engines have previously been instrumental in several successful Talon-A missions, demonstrating the engine’s operational performance, including sustained flight at speeds exceeding Mach 5 and successful vehicle recovery.
The Hadley engine, a liquid oxygen and kerosene, oxygen-rich staged combustion cycle rocket engine, delivers 5,000 pounds of thrust. It is designed for small vehicles and various applications, including launch and hypersonic flight. The development of the Hadley engine began in 2015, with prototype testing commencing in 2018 and flight qualification achieved in March 2022. The company also utilizes advanced manufacturing techniques, such as 3D printing, to accelerate production timelines.
