ROME — Italian propulsion company Avio is inching closer to becoming a second source supplier of rocket engines for the Raytheon Standard Missile as demand soars.

The company has won a $26 million deal from Raytheon to push on with engineering work to become a supplier of the Mk 104 dual-thrust rocket motor which is used in the Standard Missile.

“The Mk 104 is the most widely used motor in the Standard Missile, andRaytheon wants a second source due to high demand,” Avio CEO Giulio Ranzo told Defense News.

The order from Raytheon follows an initial deal signed in July 2024 to get Avio started on preliminary engineering work to become a second source on the motor, which is now produced by Aerojet.

“This purchase order represents an important step in expanding our supply chain to ensure t

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