Ursa Major Validates Draper Engine in AFRL Flight Test as Hypersonics Strategy Gains Traction

Ursa Major saw a pivotal week as it showcased growing momentum in defense and hypersonics, highlighted by successful flight use of its Draper storable liquid rocket engine and continued advancement of its Hadley engine family. The company is increasingly positioning itself as a key supplier of affordable, rapidly fieldable propulsion solutions for U.S. national security missions.

Ursa Major confirmed that its Draper engine powered the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Affordable Rapid Missile Demonstrator, driving the vehicle to supersonic speeds and achieving mission objectives. The test validated its storable liquid rocket technology in flight and was characterized by AFRL and company leadership as a foundational step toward low-cost, mass-producible missile systems.

Notably, Ursa Major acted as prime integrator for the entire demonstrator vehicle for the first time, moving from contract award to a fully integrated, flight-ready round in about eight months. This compressed timeline underscores growing vertical capabilities in missile and hypersonic systems, strengthening its appeal to defense customers that prioritize speed, affordability, and scalability.

The Draper engine builds on years of development of the Hadley liquid rocket platform and is part of a broader AFRL contract focused on in-flight characterization of Ursa Major’s technology. This public‑private partnership is aimed at delivering scalable, cost-effective liquid engines for next‑generation hypersonic, missile, and space applications, potentially supporting future program wins and backlog growth.

Separately, the company advanced its new H13 variant of the Hadley engine, a hypersonic-ready, reusable liquid engine designed as an off-the-shelf platform. H13 leverages new materials and manufacturing methods to support more than double the reuse of earlier Hadley models, targeting lower cost per flight and improved competitiveness in hypersonic testing and light launch markets.

Ursa Major is also insourcing major H13 components and vertically integrating additively manufactured parts from its Colorado and Ohio sites, aiming to enhance cost control and production scalability. These steps align with its strategy of offering “affordable mass” for the warfighter and could bolster its standing against larger aerospace incumbents in the propulsion segment.

On the engagement front, the company highlighted its participation in the AFA Warfare Symposium, where it met with defense partners and decision makers on mission-ready hypersonic solutions. It also plans to participate in the 2026 Pacific Operational Science & Technology Conference in Honolulu, targeting deeper relationships with U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and other defense stakeholders.

In aggregate, the successful Draper-powered flight, H13 development progress, and expanded presence at key defense forums reinforce Ursa Major’s shift toward defense and hypersonics. These developments point to a strengthening strategic position, though ultimate financial impact will depend on the company’s ability to secure follow-on contracts and execute at scale in the coming periods.