Ursa Major Ignites US Defense Production with Colorado Expansion

LONGMONT, Colo. – August 20, 2026 – Amid the hum of advanced machinery and the gleam of pristine clean rooms, Ursa Major today cut the ribbon on a new manufacturing facility in Longmont, Colorado, signaling a pivotal move to scale up the nation's defense and space industrial base. The expansion is a direct response to what the company describes as urgent demand for its advanced propulsion and avionics systems, marking a significant step in its quest to revitalize American manufacturing for the modern era of strategic competition.

The new Longmont site, with capacity for over 125 employees, is dedicated to producing avionics and in-space propulsion systems. This strategic specialization allows Ursa Major's Berthoud headquarters to dramatically increase its focus on liquid rocket engines, vehicle integration, and the production of solid rocket motors—capabilities the company says are in high demand.

"We're opening this Longmont facility because the demand is here now. Avionics run through every system we build, and our in-space propulsion delivers maneuverability on orbit faster than the legacy supply base can," said Chris Spagnoletti, CEO of Ursa Major, at the ceremony. "Moving that work here also opens the floor in Berthoud for liquid engines, vehicle integration, and solid rocket motors the warfighter is asking for at rate."

A High-Tech Boom in the Centennial State

Ursa Major's expansion is not just a win for the company but a significant accelerant for Colorado's already booming aerospace economy. The inauguration brought together state and local officials, including Colorado Governor Jared Polis, who celebrated the move as a landmark achievement for the state's high-tech sector.

"Ursa Major's expansion in Longmont highlights Colorado as a global leader in aerospace and defense," Governor Polis stated. "We are thrilled to see this innovative company grow and succeed in our state, bringing thousands of high-quality jobs for Coloradans that will strengthen our economy and drive even more businesses to call Colorado home."

While the Longmont facility directly adds over 125 skilled positions, the ripple effects are projected to be far larger. State officials have linked Ursa Major's growth to the potential creation of up to 1,850 new jobs statewide, supported by a substantial incentive package including $35 million in job growth tax credits and millions more in CHIPS-related credits. This investment underscores the state's commitment to retaining and nurturing its aerospace champions. The company is already the largest employer in Berthoud, and its growing footprint across Longmont and Galeton solidifies its role as a cornerstone of the regional economy, which boasts over 190,000 aerospace-related jobs and contributes more than $15 billion annually to the state.

Rebuilding the Defense Industrial Base at Speed

The strategic importance of this expansion extends far beyond Colorado's borders. It represents a tangible effort to address critical gaps in the U.S. defense industrial base, particularly in hypersonics and space mobility. Spagnoletti's emphasis on serving the "warfighter" and revitalizing domestic production capabilities is a direct nod to the national security imperative driving the company's growth.

With over $115 million in bookings from partners including the Department of Defense, the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, and major defense contractors, Ursa Major is translating urgent demand into production reality. The increased capacity is crucial for scaling systems like the HAVOC Missile System, a hypersonic weapon powered by the company's Draper engine. This capability is seen as vital in a landscape where strategic competitors have demonstrated advanced hypersonic technologies for years.

The expansion is fueled by significant capital, including a $100 million Series E funding round raised in late 2025 specifically to scale manufacturing. The company is positioning itself to become a prime government contractor, aiming to build critical defense systems faster and more affordably than legacy providers. By increasing domestic production of these advanced technologies, Ursa Major is directly contributing to U.S. military readiness and reducing reliance on slower, more fragmented supply chains.

Beyond Engines: An Integrated Manufacturing Strategy

What sets Ursa Major's strategy apart is its focus on integrated systems and advanced manufacturing. The Longmont facility is a testament to this, featuring not just assembly lines but also dedicated labs for welding, an environmental test lab, and a stringent ISO 7 clean room. The presence of such a highly controlled environment signals a move beyond prototyping to the production of high-fidelity, flight-ready systems at scale.

By consolidating avionics and in-space propulsion in Longmont, the company creates a center of excellence while freeing its Berthoud headquarters to focus on its powerful liquid and solid rocket motors. This vertical integration—from the electronic brains of a system to the engine that propels it—is a key differentiator. It allows for more rapid iteration, streamlined integration, and ultimately, faster delivery timelines.

This velocity is further enabled by the company's embrace of advanced production techniques, most notably at its additive manufacturing operations in Youngstown, Ohio. Using 3D printing and other modern methods allows the company to rapidly scale product lines, a stark contrast to the decades-old processes that still dominate parts of the defense industry. This flexible and modern approach is central to the company's mission to accelerate the delivery of critical capabilities where speed and adaptability are paramount.

Cultivating Talent for the Final Frontier

To power this high-tech expansion, Ursa Major is actively cultivating the specialized workforce it needs. The company's recruitment efforts emphasize a mission-driven culture, attracting talent with the promise of working on projects of "national impact." The required skill sets are diverse, ranging from avionics design managers and supply chain experts to accountants and production technicians.

Recognizing that talent is a long-term investment, the company is deeply engaged in its local communities. Through employee resource groups like the "Care Bears," Ursa Major fosters STEM education in Colorado, providing mentorship and support for local college and high school programs, including the Society of Women Engineers (SWE). This community-level engagement is crucial for building a sustainable talent pipeline to fuel future growth.

This synergy between a rapidly growing company, a supportive state government, and a rich local talent ecosystem creates a powerful engine for innovation. As Ursa Major continues its expansion, it is not only building rocket engines but also helping to construct the very foundation of Colorado's future as a global aerospace leader.