Ursa Major to establish $14.5 million R&D centre for Additive Manufacturing
July 25, 2024

Ursa Major Technologies Inc., located in Berthoud, Colorado, USA, is establishing a new $14.5 million research and development centre in Youngstown, Ohio. The R&D centre will focus on advancing Additive Manufacturing and materials development technology for liquid rocket engines and solid rocket motors.
Liquid rocket engines and solid rocket motors power platforms used for high-performance munitions, hypersonic weapons, in-space propulsion systems, and space launches, seen as essential for America’s security. Ursa Major said it is expanding its R&D efforts to meet a rapidly growing portfolio of US Department of Defense development contracts.
The new R&D centre, located in Boardman, will accelerate new material development and qualification processes for Additive Manufacturing in aerospace applications. This includes developing metallic alloys for solid rocket motors and copper and nickel alloys for liquid rocket engines. The centre will be home to multiple Laser Beam Powder Bed Fusion (PBF-LB) Additive Manufacturing machines.
“The new R&D centre in Youngstown takes advantage of Ohio’s manufacturing heritage and uniquely skilled workforce to advance manufacturing in service to our national security,” said Ursa Major CEO Joe Laurienti. “Raw material access, supply chain, and a vibrant Additive Manufacturing ecosystem as a result of the America Makes programme make Youngstown an ideal home for this centre.”
The capital investment includes $4 million in assistance in the form of a JobsOhio R&D Grant. Ursa Major worked closely with JobsOhio Network partner Team NEO to secure funding for the expansion, which will be in the new Lake to River region.
JobsOhio President and CEO J P Nauseef added, “Ursa Major’s R&D centre plans in the Mahoning Valley represent Ohio’s strong aerospace and manufacturing legacy and how this state is driving the future of how things are made in America and worldwide. Innovation from Mahoning County is rapidly advancing Additive Manufacturing technology, and Ursa Major’s investment is an example of how that attracts extraordinary companies.”