Avio USA Breaks Ground on U.S. Solid Rocket Motor Facility
News related to:Avio USA · 2 min read
COLLEFERRO, October 6, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- Avio USA, a subsidiary of the Italian rocket and space propulsion leader Avio S.p.A., has broken ground on its first U.S. manufacturing facility in Hurt, Virginia. The approximately 900,000-square-foot solid rocket motor plant will significantly bolster domestic production capacity for U.S. missile and munitions programs, marking a pivotal step in strengthening the nation's defense supply chain.
The new facility, located at the Southern Virginia Multimodal Park, is expected to create roughly 1,500 high-quality technical jobs in Southern Virginia. Avio USA anticipates that production will begin in early 2029, with construction scheduled for completion by late 2028. This investment underscores the company's commitment to expanding its presence in the U.S. and supporting the nation's defense capabilities.
Avio USA's CEO, James Syring, emphasized the company's dedication to building an independent, open-source merchant supplier.
The project is being developed in collaboration with HITT Contracting, a leading general contractor with 2025 revenues of $13.1 billion and more than 3,600 team members nationwide. HITT is driving the delivery of the advanced manufacturing facility, bringing its local experience in manufacturing and aerospace construction to the project.
Lockheed Martin and Raytheon, both major defense contractors, expressed their support for the project.
Avio USA, headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, is a subsidiary of Avio S.p.A., structured to operate in compliance with U.S. security and export-control regulations. The company is governed by a U.S.-based board of directors and led by CEO James Syring, a retired U.S. Navy Vice Admiral and former Director of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency.
With more than 180,000 global employees, Lockheed Martin is driving innovation and advancing scientific discovery.
Avio's experience and know-how, built up over more than 50 years, place it at the cutting edge of the space launcher sector and defense programs. The company is present in Italy, France, the United States, and French Guyana, employing more than 1,500 highly qualified personnel. Avio is the prime contractor for the Vega program and a subcontractor for the Ariane program, as well as a leading solid rocket motor subcontractor for the design and manufacturing of major European tactical missile programs.
The aerospace and defense industry is poised for significant growth, and Avio USA's new facility in Virginia is a testament to the company's commitment to expanding its presence in the U.S. market.