Frontier Aerospace wins first block-buy contract for M-Series attitude control engines

By Atlas Watchline Staff · Corporate · August 17, 2026

Frontier Aerospace said it won its first block-buy production contract for its flight-qualified M-Series 25-lbf attitude control engines for an undisclosed U.S. government defense program.

Frontier Aerospace said on Aug. 17, 2026, that it won a block-buy production contract for its flight-qualified M-Series 25-lbf attitude control engines for an undisclosed U.S. government defense program.

The company said the award is its first block-buy contract for the M-Series line. Frontier said the contract calls for flight-engine deliveries in 2027 and includes an option for additional engines in future years.

Frontier said the M-Series is part of its propulsion portfolio for commercial, civil and national security space missions.

The company said the M-Series uses MMH/MON-3 propellants and that the capability was developed through a process that ended in a successful hot-fire test campaign. Frontier did not name the government customer, give a contract value or say how many engines are included.

In the release, Frontier said it also makes two other flight-ready propulsion families. It described its L-Series engines as flight-proven with TALOS/CLPS heritage and optimized for cold conditions down to –40°C using MON-25 oxidizer. It described its F-Series engines as optimized for missile defense, orbital maneuvering and lunar lander propulsion.

Frontier President Jim McKinnon said in a quoted statement that the award reflects the maturation of the company’s rocket engine technology and manufacturing capability. He said the company is committed to reliable, high-performance propulsion systems for national security customers.

Frontier said the block-buy structure could support continued production in future years if more engines are ordered. The company said the award also supports its national security propulsion portfolio and provides a foundation for future production as additional platforms enter service.

Frontier said flight-engine deliveries under the current contract are expected in 2027.

Sources

• PR Newswire release: Frontier Aerospace advances flight-qualified national security propulsion portfolio with first M-Series block-buy award for major U.S. government program

Editorial note: This article was prepared with AI assistance and includes source attribution for reader review.

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