Firehawk Aerospace Secures $4M to Push the Boundaries of 3D Printed Propellant for Extended Range Rockets

DALLAS, Sept. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Firehawk Aerospace ("Firehawk"), a defense technology leader specializing in advanced energetics and propulsion, today announced it has been awarded a $4 million TACFI contract by AFWERX to develop extended range optimization of solid rocket motors using 3D printed thermoplastic-based propellant. Under this contract, the solution developed and hot fire tested will be designed with range optimized formulations & geometries.

The contract award was made under the DAF's Open Topic SBIR/STTR program. The Air Force Research Laboratory and SpaceWERX, the innovation arm of the U.S. Space Force and a unique division within AFWERX, have partnered to streamline the SBIR and STTR process which fosters innovation by supporting a broad spectrum of advanced technologies and accelerates the small business experience through faster proposal to award timelines, expands the pool of potential applicants and eliminates bureaucratic overhead by continually implementing process improvement changes in contract execution.

Firehawk's solution leverages its additive manufacturing techniques to enable safer, more flexible and higher-performing rocket propulsion systems, contributing to the future of tactical and strategic defense applications. This delivers critical advantages in operational flexibility and supply chain resilience, which are key priorities for warfighters and industry partners alike.

"Firehawk is challenging decades of traditional propulsion technology, while delivering performance that redefines what's possible," states Will Edwards, Co-founder and CEO of Firehawk. "This award is testament to our commitment to deliver propulsion systems that perform under pressure, adapt to the mission, and enable those on the front lines to execute with confidence. We're building for the operational realities our forces face today and those that lie ahead, to give our warfighters the edge."

The DAF began offering the Open Topic SBIR/STTR program in 2018 which expanded the range of innovations the DAF funded. Firehawk will start its journey to create and provide innovative capabilities that will strengthen the national defense of the United States of America.

About Firehawk Aerospace
Firehawk is an end-to-end energetics company, revolutionizing the supply chain to fuel the future of defense to deter and win tomorrow's wars. We build rocket motors powered by our 3D printed propellant – faster and more cost effectively with the ability to manufacture and distribute almost anywhere in the world. Firehawk designs its products at its Dallas headquarters, is building a 340 acre production facility in Lawton, Oklahoma, and performs static fire and flight tests at two facilities in West Texas, including a 30-square-mile launch range. For more information, visit www.firehawkaerospace.com 

About SpaceWERX  
As the innovation arm of the U.S. Space Force and a unique division within AFWERX, SpaceWERX inspires and empowers collaboration with innovators to accelerate capabilities and shape our future in space. Headquartered in Los Angeles, SpaceWERX employs 40 military, civilian and contractor personnel executing an annual $457 million budget. Additionally, SpaceWERX partners with Space Systems Command's Commercial Space Office (COMSO) as a collaborative program. Since it was aligned under AFRL in Aug. 2021, SpaceWERX has awarded over 1,470 contracts worth more than $1.46 billion to strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base and drive faster technology transition to operational capability. For more information, visit: spacewerx.us.

About AFWERX
As the innovation arm of the DAF and a directorate within the Air Force Research Laboratory, AFWERX brings cutting-edge American ingenuity from small businesses and start-ups to address the most pressing challenges of the DAF. AFWERX employs approximately 370 military, civilian and contractor personnel at four hubs and sites executing an annual $1.4 billion budget. Since 2019, AFWERX has awarded over 10,400 contracts worth more than $7.24 billion to strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base and drive faster technology transition to operational capability. For more information, visit: afwerx.com.  

About AFRL
The Air Force Research Laboratory, or AFRL, is the primary scientific research and development center for the Department of the Air Force. AFRL plays an integral role in leading the discovery, development and integration of affordable warfighting technologies for our air, space and cyberspace forces. With a workforce spanning across nine technology areas and 40 other operations around the globe, AFRL provides a diverse portfolio of science and technology ranging from fundamental to advanced research and technology development. For more information, visit afresearchlab.com. 

Company Press Contact:
Sandra Perez
[email protected]

SOURCE Firehawk Aerospace