X-Bow Systems (X-Bow) has secured a $12.2m contract with defence firm AEVEX to manufacture rocket-assisted take-off (RATO) kits for the AEVEX Disruptor drone.
Under the agreement, X-Bow will supply hundreds of RATO production kits and thousands of solid rocket motors (SRMs) and components from March to August 2026.
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This timeline aims to provide rapid deployment of the systems to meet emerging operational requirements.
The RATO² system, developed by X-Bow, includes solid rocket motors and launch cradles, enabling drone launches from unprepared surfaces and confined locations.
X-Bow founder and CEO Jason Hundley said: “Our ability to go from contract award to fielded combat capability in just a few months is exactly what today’s rapidly evolving defence landscape demands. This contract validates our ability to build fast, field faster and deliver now to meet urgent defence needs.”
This contract marks the first large-scale use of X-Bow’s patented Additive Manufactured Solid Propellant (AMSP) in its SRMs.
The new propellant formulation is intended to improve performance and cost-effectiveness for clients using these technologies.
Global military drone markets continue to expand, with rising demand for systems that can launch in challenging environments.
The RATO² solution seeks to address the rising demand for systems that can launch in challenging environments, potentially increasing drone payload and range.
X-Bow said that its proprietary manufacturing methods allow for quicker delivery of defence technologies, aiming to bring products to operational use within months rather than years.
Headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the company has secured contracts amounting to $212m in the past six month.
Going forward, X-Bow plans to broaden its product range, with a focus on technologies in hypersonic propulsion, advanced and cost-effective missile defence, and sub-orbital space launch systems.
