X-Bow Systems, a manufacturer of solid rocket motors (SRM), sub-orbital launch solutions and defense technologies, today announced a $12.2 million contract with AEVEX to produce rocket-assisted take-off (RATO) kits for AEVEX's Disruptor drone.
X-Bow said it will deliver hundreds of production kits and thousands of SRMs and components between March and August 2026. The company's RATO² (Rapidly Assembled Tactical Option for Rocket-Assisted Takeoff) system, which includes solid rocket motors and launch cradles, is designed to allow drones to take off from unprepared surfaces and confined spaces.
"Our ability to go from contract award to fielded combat capability in just a few months is exactly what today's rapidly evolving defense landscape demands," said X-Bow CEO Jason Hundley in a statement. "This contract validates our ability to build fast, field faster and deliver now to meet urgent defense needs."
This marks the first-ever high-volume use of X-Bow's patented Additive Manufactured Solid Propellant (AMSP) in solid rocket motors.
Looking ahead, X-Bow plans to expand its product portfolio to address emerging needs aligned with the latest defense priorities. This includes hypersonic propulsion, low-cost and advanced missile defense systems including space-based interceptors and evolved sub-orbital space launch systems. X-Bow is also enhancing its surge-capable production to meet rapidly evolving defense requirements, particularly in critical munitions and propulsion systems.
