Avio USA has broken ground on its first U.S. manufacturing facility, beginning construction of an approximately 900,000 square foot solid rocket motor plant in Hurt, Virginia. The project will expand aerospace manufacturing capacity in the United States for missile and munitions production.
Located at the Southern Virginia Multimodal Park, the facility is designed to produce thousands of solid rocket motors annually for U.S. tactical missile programs. Avio USA expects the project to create roughly 1,500 high quality technical jobs in Southern Virginia, supporting the workforce needed for the additional aerospace manufacturing capacity.
New Facility Expands Aerospace Manufacturing Capacity
The new plant will provide Avio USA with dedicated U.S. manufacturing capacity for solid rocket motors used in defense applications. The facility is intended to support requirements across the U.S. defense industry while giving Avio the ability to serve multiple customers and programs.
Secretary Hung Cao highlighted the role of the project in expanding the domestic supply base, saying, “America needs new suppliers to expand capacity, strengthen competition, and accelerate production now for solid rocket motors and munitions.” He added that the Virginia facility would build on the state’s existing energetics capabilities and reinforce the U.S. defense industrial base.
James Syring, CEO of Avio USA, said the company is establishing more than a manufacturing site through the project. “Avio USA is building more than a manufacturing facility in Virginia. We are building an American company and workforce that can bring Avio’s proven propulsion expertise to the U.S. defense market.”
Syring said Avio aims to operate as an independent merchant supplier serving multiple customers and programs, adding, “That means more capacity, more competition and greater resilience in the American rocket motor supply chain.”
The facility is being developed with HITT Contracting serving as the general contractor. Production is anticipated to begin in early 2029 following construction completion.
Investment Strengthens U.S. Aerospace Manufacturing Capacity
Avio said the successful completion of its capital raise provided the resources for the investment, which will expand aerospace manufacturing capacity in the United States and establish a lasting American presence for the company.
Giulio Ranzo, CEO of Avio, said, “Today we are turning Avio’s long-term strategy into industrial reality.” He added that the project would expand U.S. solid rocket motor manufacturing capacity and establish a lasting American presence for Avio.
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger said the project would create employment and strengthen advanced manufacturing in the state. “This groundbreaking represents what is possible when an innovative company, a skilled workforce, and committed state and local partners come together with a shared vision.”
Spanberger added that Avio’s investment would create jobs, advance critical manufacturing capabilities and reinforce Virginia’s position in aerospace and defense industry growth.
The project is also expected to create additional sourcing options for critical solid rocket motor requirements. Lockheed Martin Missiles & Fire Control President Tim Cahill said, “This new facility is a significant step toward a more robust and diverse supply chain for solid rocket motors that are critical to our nation’s defense.”
Raytheon senior vice president of Operations, Supply Chain and Quality Bob Butz said, “Today’s groundbreaking expands the nation’s manufacturing capacity for solid rocket motors.” He added that expanding and diversifying the supply base would support long term growth across the defense industrial base.
Avio Targets Production Start in 2029
Construction of the facility is expected to be completed by late 2028, with production anticipated to begin in early 2029. The site will support solid rocket motor requirements across the U.S. defense industry, including programs for Lockheed Martin and Raytheon.
HITT Contracting Executive Vice President Josh Foreso said, “Avio’s project is an important investment in our home state of Virginia, increasing manufacturing and the domestic supply chain that supports our nation’s defense capabilities.”
Foreso said HITT would bring its local manufacturing and aerospace construction experience to the project while working with local trade partners to deliver the facility.
The development marks Avio USA’s entry into domestic U.S. solid rocket motor manufacturing and is expected to add significant aerospace manufacturing capacity while creating a new technical workforce in Southern Virginia.