US defense firm Chromatic 3D Materials has established a rocket propellant testing facility in Minnesota to accelerate the development of next-generation propulsion systems for military applications.
The new facility combines an on-site propellant printing laboratory with live-fire testing infrastructure, allowing engineers to move directly from manufacturing to propulsion testing in one location.
The facility is located at Camp Ripley, a Minnesota National Guard training site near Little Falls. Under a five-year lease, Chromatic will maintain a long-term testing presence at the installation.
“Our presence at Camp Ripley allows us to rapidly demonstrate performance, validate manufacturing approaches and reduce the time required to deliver advanced propulsion solutions to rocket manufacturers,” Chromatic CEO Cora Leibig said.
The expansion was made possible through collaboration with Defense Innovation OnRamp Hub, Minnesota and the Minnesota National Security Ecosystem, as well as with Minnesota-based expeditionary power company LEMA.
US Boosts Propulsion Production
Chromatic’s investment comes as the US government and defense industry continue expanding domestic rocket propulsion manufacturing capacity.
In July 2026, L3Harris Technologies signed a seven-year framework agreement with Pentagon and Lockheed Martin to quadruple production of propulsion systems for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense missile.
Earlier, in March, PBS Aerospace signed a subcontract worth several tens of millions of dollars with drone developer Zone 5 Technologies to support US defense propulsion programs. The multi-year agreement will expand domestic production of military-grade turbojet engines using propulsion technology developed by PBS Group, the company’s Czech-based parent.
