A Huntsville-based aerospace and defense company has been tapped for a major federal contract aimed at accelerating next-generation missile defense capabilities.
Aurex announced it has been selected by the Missile Defense Agency to lead an $8 million mission focused on the rapid development, integration, and flight of an intercontinental ballistic missile-class target demonstrator.
The project is expected to move from concept to flight faster than any previous program in the agency’s history, highlighting both the urgency and technical demands of the effort.
Under the contract, Aurex will handle key aspects of mission planning, including trajectory design, range safety analysis, and signature predictions. The company will also develop and produce the primary target objects used in the demonstration.
As part of the mission, Aurex plans to flight test its Sensor Package for Optical Characterization and Ballistic Observation of Targets (SPOCBOT), a fly-along sensor system designed to capture real-time optical data during testing. The system features low radio frequency and infrared signatures and is intended to improve the accuracy and fidelity of missile defense evaluations.
The demonstrator mission is scheduled to launch later this year aboard a Firefly Alpha rocket, further reinforcing Huntsville’s ongoing role in national defense and aerospace innovation.
“We are honored to partner with MDA on this transformative mission,” said Warren Kohm, Aurex CEO. “Our team is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in missile defense technology, and this program is a testament to our commitment to rapid innovation and mission success.”
The effort aligns with the agency’s “Go Fast, Think Big” initiative, which emphasizes speed and scalability in developing advanced defense systems.
Headquartered in Huntsville, Aurex focuses on a range of aerospace and defense technologies, including hypersonic systems, missile defense, and orbital platforms. The company works with defense, space, and national security customers across the country.
Sherri Blevins is a reporter for 256 Today.
