# Army Expands Hydra-70 Rocket Supply Chain

The U.S. Army has awarded Other Transaction Authority (OTA) prototype contracts to four defense contractors—Firehawk Aerospace, iRocket, Nammo Perry, and Albers—to expand production capacity and modernize the Hydra-70 M151 rocket supply chain. Each company is tasked with delivering 24 prototype high-explosive fragmentation warheads and updating the Technical Data Package within 18 months. This initiative supports an annual procurement requirement of up to 200,000 rockets, aiming to enhance competition, improve manufacturability, and secure surge capacity to maintain Army lethality and readiness.

- The OTA agreements represent a strategic shift to diversify the Hydra-70 rocket industrial base and reduce supply chain risks.
- Procurement professionals should note the potential for follow-on contracts contingent on successful prototype deliveries and modernization efforts.
- Defense contractors with manufacturing capabilities in munitions production may find new opportunities to engage with the Army's expanding rocket supply chain.
- This expansion underscores the Army's focus on rapid responsiveness and sustaining uninterrupted operational readiness through innovative acquisition strategies.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military
**Topics:** Contracting Vehicles
**Published:** August 06, 2026

### Government Entities
- Department of the Army (Army)
- Portfolio Acquisition Executive FIRES (PAE FIRES)
- U.S. Army Aviation Rocket and Small Guided Munitions Product Office
- Program Acquisition Executive Fires
- Aviation Rockets and Small Guided Munitions Product Office (ARSGM Product Office)

### Vendors
- Firehawk Aerospace (prime contractor)
- Firehawk (awardee)
- iRocket (awardee)
- Nammo Perry (awardee)
- Albers (awardee)

### Key Quotes
> …this acquisition strategy ensures critical industrial responsiveness, enabling the Army to rapidly meet urgent mission requirements while sustaining uninterrupted readiness for its operational capabilities.
> — Portfolio Acquisition Executive FIRES

> This acquisition strategy secures vital industrial base surge capacity, ensuring the Army can swiftly meet emergent mission requirements and maintain uninterrupted readiness for Army lethality.
> — Program Acquisition Executive Fires, U.S. Army

> The U.S. Army has awarded Firehawk an OTA agreement to diversify the Hydra-70 rocket supply chain and revitalize its defense industrial base.
> — Firehawk Aerospace

### Sources
- [DVIDS - News - Army Expands Hydra-70 Rocket Supply Chain  Through Innovative OTA Agreements](https://www.dvidshub.net/news/571662/army-expands-hydra-70-rocket-supply-chain-through-innovative-ota-agreements) - DVIDS
- [U.S. Army adds four new makers of its workhorse rocket](https://defence-blog.com/u-s-army-adds-four-new-makers-of-its-workhorse-rocket) - The Defence Blog
- [Army awards contracts to four companies to boost Hydra-70 rocket production - Breaking Defense](https://breakingdefense.com/2026/08/army-awards-contracts-to-four-companies-to-boost-hydra-70-rocket-production) - Breaking Defense