Italian rocket builder Avio has announced that it has selected the state of Virginia to build its planned US-based production facility. The $500 million project forms part of the company’s expansion of its defence business.
Avio founded its wholly owned US subsidiary, Avio USA, in 2022 to capitalise on a market opportunity created by constrained solid rocket motor production capacity relative to surging demand for tactical propulsion solutions. Since then, the company has signed contracts with the US Armed Forces, Raytheon, and Lockheed Martin.
In an 11 November announcement, Avio revealed that its planned US-based production facility would be built in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The new facility is expected to be 860,000 square feet (approximately 80,000 square metres) and will produce “solid-propellant rocket motors for defense, tactical propulsion, missile systems, and space sectors.”
Avio expects to invest approximately $500 million in building the new facility, with the company’s recently announced €400m capital increase supporting its investment.
“Avio looks forward to establishing, on US soil, a solid rocket motor production facility to contribute [to] strengthening the US industrial base by providing decades of experience in engineering and manufacturing,” said Avio CEO Giulio Ranzo.
According to Avio, final approvals of the selected site and the subsequent announcement of where in Virginia the facility will be built are expected early next year.
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