Firehawk live fires Hydra-70 rockets Shortly after Army award. Friday, August 28th, 2026 Shortly after receiving an Army award to develop Hydra-70 rockets as a potential alternative supplier, Firehawk Aerospace last Friday said it successfully conducted six live-fire tests of the rocket to collect ballistic flight data, reduce risk and accelerate the prototype program. The Army on Aug. 5 awarded Other Transaction Authority agreements to Firehawk, iRocket, Nammo's Perry, Fla., operations and Albers Aerospace "to diversify the Hydra-70 rocket supply chain and revitalize its industrial base" (Defense Daily, Aug. 7). General Dynamics' [GD]... Not a subscriber or registered user yet? Please contact us at [email protected] or call us at 888-707-5814 (Monday - Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. and Friday 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. ET.), to start a free trial, get pricing information, order a reprint, or post an article link on your website.

Albers Aerospace expands operations in Arizona with new manufacturing facility. Sunday 23 August 2026, 7:04:08 PM Albers Aerospace, an aerospace and defense contractor based in McKinney, Texas, is expanding its operations in Tucson, Arizona, with a new 30,000-square-foot facility. The expansion is expected to strengthen the company's manufacturing capabilities while creating new employment opportunities in the region. The company leased the facility as part of a three-year expansion plan, with operations becoming active in July 2026. Over the full expansion period, Albers Aerospace expects to add 24 jobs to its existing workforce, primarily across operations and manufacturing. The project is expected to generate an economic impact of approximately $36 million, supporting Tucson's growing aerospace and defense manufacturing ecosystem. The new facility will provide additional capacity for Albers Aerospace as it continues to serve customers requiring precision-engineered components and specialized manufacturing services. Albers Aerospace provides a broad range of aerospace and defense manufacturing capabilities. Its services include precision machining, CNC programming and simulation, tool and fixture design, sheet metal fabrication, complex assemblies, specialized containers, surface treatments and welding. The company's precision machining and CNC capabilities allow it to manufacture complex components for demanding aerospace and defense applications. Its ability to combine machining, fabrication, assembly and specialized finishing services also enables customers to source multiple manufacturing requirements from a single supplier. The Tucson expansion comes as aerospace and defense manufacturers continue to invest in domestic production capacity. Growing demand for aircraft, defense systems and advanced military platforms is increasing the need for suppliers capable of producing highly precise components while meeting stringent quality and delivery requirements. The addition of manufacturing and operations positions is expected to further strengthen Tucson's industrial workforce. Arizona has developed a significant aerospace and defense manufacturing presence, supported by engineering talent, advanced manufacturing companies and a growing network of industrial suppliers. Albers Aerospace's new facility will also provide additional space for the company to expand its production activities and support future customer programs. The combination of CNC machining, fabrication, assembly and finishing capabilities allows the company to address a wide range of complex aerospace and defense manufacturing requirements. With the facility already operational, the company can begin scaling its Tucson presence while adding personnel and manufacturing capabilities over the next three years. The investment represents another step in Albers Aerospace's broader growth strategy and reinforces its commitment to expanding its U.S. manufacturing footprint. The project is expected to contribute to Arizona's aerospace and defense supply chain while creating skilled manufacturing jobs and supporting local economic activity. As the expansion progresses, Albers Aerospace will have increased capacity to support customers across the aerospace and defense sectors with precision manufacturing and integrated production services. All the latest videos/ events and stories in your inbox. Join thousands of professionals staying ahead with MTD. Sign up to receive the latest videos, insights, and exclusive content from the world of manufacturing