Tel Aviv: American defence company Kratos Defense & Security Solutions and Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, announced February 27 an approximate 50/50 partnership for the establishment of a US-based merchant supplier of solid rocket motors (SRMs) and other energetics.
The new joint venture, named Prometheus Energetics (“Prometheus”) is set to be headquartered on an approximate 500-acre site near the United States Navy and Army facility in Crane, Indiana.
Kratos and Rafael (through its US based subsidiary Rafael USA) have jointly committed up to $175 million in capital for the establishment of Prometheus and required property, plant, equipment and personnel needed for the new, state-of-the-art energetics manufacturing campus and facilities. After construction of the plant and once Rafael’s technology transfer is completed and certified for operations, Prometheus is projected to begin production in 2027 of SRMs.
Rafael is the developer and manufacturer of unique, world-renowned systems such as the Iron Dome and the TROPHY APS which are in service in the Israeli Defence Forces as well as the David’s Sling which provides the middle layer of air defence for the State of Israel. The company, originally established as the IDF Science Corps, has developed groundbreaking technologies like high energy laser solutions like the Iron Beam which are expected to be operational by the end of 2025.
The company functions through a vertical integration structure that enables a unique ability to meet the demands and overcome the challenges of the global market and supply chain. Rafael offers a diverse portfolio from new space to the ground battlespace with battle-proven technologies.
Kratos is a leader in hypersonic or advanced systems, strategic systems, ballistic missile targets, sub-orbital research vehicles, sounding rockets, and solid rocket motors. Kratos has served the US advanced systems and missile defence communities for decades, delivering numerous novel systems and vehicle flight tests. Kratos is the only company today delivering both propulsion and advanced flight systems.
Eric DeMarco, President and CEO of Kratos Defense, said, “We believe Prometheus, once up and running at full rate production, will be a step function catalyst in value creation for Kratos’ stakeholders and the US defence industrial base, similar to Kratos’ recent MACH-TB contract award—the largest single-award contract in Kratos history. Like other major Kratos investments such as Oriole, Zeus, and Erinyes, Prometheus responds to a critical need to strengthen the US industrial base and will also provide tens of thousands of SRMs and casted warheads supporting both America’s most reliable partner in the Middle East and United States national security related demand from a true SRM and energetics merchant supplier.”
Yoav Tourgeman, President and CEO of Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., said, “The establishment of Prometheus Energetics is a strategic leap forward, reinforcing Rafael’s commitment to strengthening the US defence industrial base while ensuring our allies and partners have access to the most advanced, combat-proven energetics solutions. This step constitutes a strategic vector that combines business considerations in the American market.”
-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
