Lawton is going to be home to a Firehawk Aerospace rocket fuel factory.
Joining Gov. Kevin Stitt Wednesday for the announcement, the Texas-based company’s CEO Will Edwards explained the 3D-printed factory will be the first of its kind in the U.S.
“This is a strategic investment in the future of U.S. energetics and propulsion capacity,” said Edwards, Co-founder of Firehawk. “It will enable us to produce the advanced energetics needed to replenish the U.S. arsenal, restore stockpiles, and sustain any fight. We’re deeply grateful to Governor Stitt, Congressman Cole, Senator Mullin and the State of Oklahoma for their vision and support. Together, we’ll build infrastructure to turn innovation into combat-ready capability – rapidly, efficiently and with scale at its core.”
The firm intends to invest $22 million and create 100 jobs. The initiative includes the transfer of 320 acres of strategically located land near Fort Sill, Oklahoma and a $22 million state and federal funding package for the construction of a new 40,000 square foot manufacturing facility, test infrastructure and specialized manufacturing equipment.
“Businesses like Firehawk are coming to Oklahoma because they know that Oklahoma is the most business-friendly state,” Stitt said during the news conference. “They love our permitting process, our workforce and and being so close to some of these military bases is fantastic.”
The company will be capable of produing 1 million pounds of propellant using a 3D printer and do it in several hours, according to Edwards.
“This moment marks a pivotal moment for Oklahoma,” said Dr. Krista Ratliff, president and CEO of the Fires Innovation Science and Technology Accelerator (FISTA) Development Trust Authority. “We are showing the nation that Oklahoma is ready to lead and support the next generation of defense manufacturing. We’re building a bridge between national security priorities and local opportunity right here in Lawton Fort Sill, Oklahoma.”
Groundbreaking for the new location is expected during Summer 2025. Firehawk is committed to strengthening the U.S. supply of critical energetics and enabling the rapid restoration of the nation’s arsenal in response to emerging threats.
Oklahoma attracted the company through incentives involving the withholding of taxes worth nearly $18 million. Just last month, the Dallas firm, described as a leading developer and manufacturer of advanced energetics systems for defense applications, was chosen by AFWERX, the innovation army of the Department of the Air Force and powered by the Air Force Research Labboratory for a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research award.
The contract, valued at $1.25 million, is accelerating the company’s development of next-generation, shelf-stable propellant solutions, and enhancing its capabilities for critical national defense applications.
Under this Phase II SBIR, Firehawk is conducting a comprehensive study of its additive manufacturing approach to solid propellants, encompassing propellant formulation testing, subscale motor validation, full-scale static-fire demonstrations, lifecycle cost assessments and performance evaluations.
Firehawk designs and manufactures its products at its Dallas headquarters and performs static fire and flight tests at two facilities in West Texas, including a 30-square-mile launch range.