Ursa Major Debuts HAVOC Hypersonic System and Installs New CEO in Defense-Focused Pivot

Ursa Major, a privately held rocket propulsion company, reported a pivotal week marked by a major product debut and leadership transition as it intensifies focus on defense markets. The company unveiled its HAVOC Missile System, a medium-range hypersonic weapon built around its Draper liquid rocket engine to deliver maneuverable strike capability at lower unit cost and at production scale.

HAVOC uses throttleable, restartable propulsion for precise control across flight phases, reducing dependence on expensive thermal protection and differentiating it from traditional boost-glide and cruise designs. Its modular architecture supports multiple solid rocket boosters and launch from fighters, bombers, vertical launch systems, and ground platforms, enabling multi-domain endo- and exo-atmospheric missions for defense customers.

Ursa Major promoted Christopher Spagnoletti to chief executive officer, elevating an internal leader associated with advancing hypersonic flight systems, the Draper engine, and solid rocket motor and in-space propulsion lines. Backed by a board that includes former Northrop Grumman CEO Ron Sugar, the move signals an emphasis on continuity as the firm shifts from core technology development toward higher-volume industrial production.

The company highlighted more than 100 liquid engines built and hot-fired and over 100,000 seconds of test time, underscoring technical maturity and hypersonic flight heritage that may support future program adoption. Through the Affordable Rapid Missile Demonstrator program with the Air Force Research Laboratory, which is nearing flight, Ursa Major is also demonstrating full vehicle design and build capabilities, extending its role beyond component supply.

In parallel, Ursa Major is stepping up its business development profile with a visible presence as an exhibiting sponsor at the upcoming Air & Space Forces Association Warfare Symposium at Booth #935. The event brings together leaders from the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Space Force, and industry, providing a platform for the company to align its offerings with discussions on global readiness, next-generation capabilities, and modern joint warfare.

Collectively, the HAVOC launch, CEO transition, test milestones, and defense symposium engagement highlight a strategy centered on affordable, scalable hypersonic and propulsion solutions for national security missions. These developments strengthen Ursa Major’s positioning as an emerging supplier to the U.S. defense industrial base, with growing relevance to next-generation strike and propulsion programs.