Anduril and Boeing Announce Strategic Partnership for IFPC SRMs
On December 18th, Anduril announced a teaming agreement with Boeing to supply solid rocket motors (SRMs) for Boeing as part of its proposal for the U.S. Army’s Integrated Fires Protection Capability (IFPC) Increment 2 Second Interceptor competition. Anduril will provide SRMs for Boeing’s mid-range interceptor, which is designed to counter drones and cruise missiles.
“This partnership demonstrates our commitment to building innovative, agile industry teams that deliver advanced capabilities to warfighters more rapidly,” said Bob Ciesla, Vice President of Boeing Precision Engagement Systems. He expressed confidence that the collaboration would result in a unique solution tailored to the Army’s evolving air defense requirements. According to an Anduril spokesperson, production of the SRMs will take place at their new facility in Mississippi.
SRMs play a critical role in missile propulsion but have been in short supply in the United States. Historically, L3Harris and Northrop Grumman have been the primary suppliers, creating significant production bottlenecks. Military leadership and companies such as RTX have identified the SRM shortage as a major constraint on the nation’s ability to produce sufficient missiles to meet domestic and allied needs.
Anduril expanded into the SRM sector in 2023 with the acquisition of Adranos, a Mississippi-based company. The opening of Anduril’s SRM manufacturing facility in McHenry, MS, in August marked a significant development, with expectations to reach an annual output of 6,000 SRMs by the end of 2026.
Despite being relatively new to the SRM field, Anduril has secured several noteworthy contracts. In March, Anduril was selected by the U.S. Army to develop a 4.75-inch SRM for long-range precision artillery systems, such as HIMARS. Last June, the U.S. Navy awarded Anduril a $19 million contract to supply SRMs for the Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) program, and in April, the company successfully conducted two live fire tests. Additionally, Saab selected Anduril to provide SRMs for the Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB) program, managed jointly with Boeing.
The IFPC initiative aims to create a mobile, ground-based weapon system capable of neutralizing cruise missiles, unmanned aircraft systems, and rocket, artillery, and mortar threats. The system will feature a launcher and interceptors designed to bridge gaps between existing short-range air defense (SHORAD), the Patriot system, and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD).
Dynetics/Leidos secured a prototype Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) in 2021 to develop launchers, interceptors, and magazines for IFPC Increment 2, followed by an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract valued at up to $4.1 billion last year. The Army initiated a prototype competition for a second interceptor last year and began awarding OTAs this autumn. On December 5, Boeing received an OTA for their interceptor concept, competing against Lockheed Martin and Rafael. Prototype awards for the program are expected next year.