Avio USA Breaks Ground on Virginia Solid Rocket Motor Plant
Avio USA has broken ground on its first US manufacturing site, a solid rocket motor factory at the Southern Virginia Multimodal Park in Hurt, Virginia. Army Technology reported the ceremony, held on September 29, 2026.
The Italian parent company, Avio, says the plant will supply motors for tactical missile programmes to prime contractors including Lockheed Martin and Raytheon. Construction is due to finish in late 2028, with production starting in early 2029.
Avio USA Starts Construction in Hurt, Virginia
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Company | Avio USA, subsidiary of Rome-based Avio |
| Location | Southern Virginia Multimodal Park, Hurt, Virginia |
| Size | About 900,000 square feet (860,000 in the February announcement) |
| Investment | More than $500 million, announced February 23, 2026 |
| State incentive | Up to $97.7 million, subject to General Assembly approval, per Avio |
| Products | Solid rocket motors for tactical missiles |
| Construction complete | Late 2028 |
| Production start | Early 2029 |
| Groundbreaking | September 29, 2026 |
James Syring, the chief executive of Avio USA and a retired US Navy vice admiral who formerly directed the Missile Defense Agency, said the aim is to be “an independent, open-source merchant supplier, able to support multiple customers.”
Why Solid Rocket Motors Are a Bottleneck
Tactical missiles depend on solid rocket motors, and Avio USA says its plant will turn out thousands of motors a year. The company describes the plant as a merchant supplier open to several customers, rather than a captive motor shop for one missile maker.
The plant will operate under a Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency Special Security Agreement. General contractor HITT Contracting of Virginia is building the site.
Avio’s Business and Ownership
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Colleferro, near Rome, Italy |
| Listing | Borsa Italiana, since 2017 |
| Largest shareholder | Leonardo, about 29% (reported) |
| Main products | P120C and Zefiro motors, AVUM+ upper stage, tactical missile motors |
| CEO of Avio | Giulio Ranzo |
| Recent investment | Advent International took a 6.54% stake for €109 million ($123 million) |
Avio’s best-known work is in space, where its P120C motor powers the Vega-C launcher and the boosters of Ariane 6. The Virginia plant extends that expertise to the US missile industry.
Avio USA FAQ
Where is the Avio USA factory?
At the Southern Virginia Multimodal Park in Hurt, Virginia.
What will it make?
Solid rocket motors for tactical missile programmes.
When will production start?
Early 2029, with construction finishing in late 2028.
How much is Avio investing?
More than $500 million, announced in February 2026.
Who leads Avio USA?
James Syring, a retired US Navy vice admiral and former Missile Defense Agency director.
- Army Technology – “Ground broken on Avio USA’s first US manufacturing site” (September 30, 2026): army-technology.com
- Avio – “Virginia approves incentive package for new Avio USA SRM factory” (press release, 2026): avio.com
- Manufacturing Today – Avio announces $500 million rocket motor facility in Virginia (February 2026)
