X-Bow Systems has secured a $12.2 million contract to produce rocket assisted takeoff kits for AEVEX’s Disruptor drone. The deal positions the Albuquerque based company as a key player in delivering advanced drone tech to meet urgent defense requirements. Under the contract, X-Bow will deliver hundreds of production kits along with thousands of solid rocket motors and components between March and August 2026.
The rapid timeline from contract award to fielded capability is a central part of the agreement. X-Bow says it can move from signing to delivery in just a few months, a pace that stands in sharp contrast to the years long timelines often associated with traditional defense contractors. The contract also marks the first high volume use of the company’s patented Additive Manufactured Solid Propellant, or AMSP, in solid rocket motors. That proprietary propellant formulation represents a notable advancement in solid rocket motor capabilities, with the potential for improvements in both performance and affordability.
How X-Bow’s RATO System Expands Drone Tech Capabilities
The RATO squared system, which stands for Rapidly Assembled Tactical Option for Rocket Assisted Takeoff, includes both solid rocket motors and launch cradles. Together, these components allow drones to take off from unprepared surfaces and confined spaces. That kind of flexibility is increasingly important in modern conflict zones where traditional runways may not be available or may be compromised.
The global military drone market is expected to grow considerably as demand increases for systems that can operate across diverse and challenging environments. X-Bow’s RATO technology directly addresses that need by enabling drones to launch from a wider variety of locations. There is also the potential for the system to extend drone payload capacity and range, which could give operators additional tactical options in the field. The company’s solid rocket motor production capabilities are built on advanced manufacturing techniques that allow for faster and more affordable delivery compared to legacy defense suppliers.
“Our ability to go from contract award to fielded combat capability in just a few months is exactly what today’s rapidly evolving defense landscape demands. This contract validates our ability to build fast, field faster and deliver now to meet urgent defense needs.” Jason Hundley, Founder and CEO of X-Bow
X-Bow’s Growing Role in Defense and Drone Tech Production
This latest award is part of a much larger wave of contracts for X-Bow. The company reports that it has received a combined $212 million in contract awards over the past six months alone. That figure reflects growing confidence from defense customers who need faster results and more agile suppliers. The company’s manufacturing processes are designed to reduce time to market for critical defense technologies from years down to months, a selling point that has clearly resonated across the defense propulsion sector.
Looking ahead, X-Bow has outlined plans to expand its product portfolio in several directions. The company is targeting hypersonic propulsion, low cost and advanced missile defense systems, space based interceptors, and evolved sub orbital space launch systems. X-Bow is also working to enhance its surge capable production capacity to keep pace with rapidly evolving defense requirements, particularly in the areas of critical munitions and propulsion systems.
Founded in 2016, X-Bow has grown into what it calls the non traditional leader in advanced solid rocket motor manufacturing and sub orbital launch services. The company is backed by a roster of prominent aerospace and venture capital investors including Crosslink Capital, Boeing, Lockheed Martin Ventures, and several others. X-Bow operates out of its headquarters in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with an additional research and development facility in Socorro and offices across several other states. The company’s stated mission to “build fast, field faster, deliver now” appears to be more than a slogan given the pace of recent contract activity and the growing demand for advanced drone tech in today’s security environment.
