X-Bow Systems Inc. says CoAspire selected it to develop solid rocket motor boosters for the ground-launched U.S. Navy CHAOS program, aimed at extending lower-cost strike weapons to allies.
X-Bow announced the selection Oct. 27 but did not disclose a contract value, booster quantity or delivery date. The Navy's Aug. 21 announcement did not name X-Bow.
The Navy said its Precision Strike Weapons program office, PMX-201, awarded two CHAOS development contracts in collaboration with CoAspire and Zone 5, using Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreements. The Navy says the program is meant to give allies and partners access to affordable, scalable precision-strike weapons while widening competition among defense suppliers.
Capt. Sarah Abbott, PMX-201 program manager, said CHAOS is intended to address “present day obsolescence and supply chain challenges.” The Navy has also described the program as an exportable maritime-strike solution.
The Navy expects an initial expeditionary ground-launch capability to be in production by 2028.
