NAICS 336415 Quarterly Industry Report
Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Propulsion Unit and Propulsion Unit M
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 336415Sector: 33Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This Fair Market Value industry report for NAICS 336415 draws on verified data from the U.S. Census Bureau[4], Bureau of Labor Statistics[5], and the Small Business Administration[6]. Our research team compiles establishment counts, employment data, and SBA eligibility criteria specific to guided missile and space vehicle propulsion unit manufacturing. Reports are updated quarterly to reflect new Census releases and regulatory changes.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the guided missile and space vehicle propulsion unit and propulsion unit m industry.
Industry Definition & Overview
Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Propulsion Unit Manufacturing (NAICS 336415) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing propulsion units and parts for guided missiles, space vehicles, and space satellites. Products include solid rocket motors for tactical and strategic missiles, liquid-fueled rocket engines for space launch vehicles, hybrid rocket motors, satellite station-keeping thrusters, reaction control systems, and solid rocket booster segments for heavy-lift launch vehicles. The U.S. Census Bureau[4] classifies this industry under aerospace product and parts manufacturing.
Roughly 52 active businesses employ an estimated 19,800 workers in this industry. Solid rocket motor production is dominated by Northrop Grumman (formerly Orbital ATK) and Aerojet Rocketdyne (L3Harris), which manufacture strategic missile motors, tactical missile propulsion, and large solid rocket booster segments. Liquid rocket engine production centers on Aerojet Rocketdyne's RL-10 and RS-25 engines, SpaceX's Raptor and Merlin engines, and Blue Origin's BE-4 engine program.
Solid motor manufacturing involves propellant mixing, casting or extrusion into motor cases, curing, insulation and nozzle assembly, X-ray inspection of grain geometry, and static test firing of qualification units. Liquid engine production requires precision machining of turbopump components, injector plate fabrication with thousands of orifices, thrust chamber manufacturing with regenerative cooling channels, and extensive hot-fire testing on instrumented test stands. Both product lines involve energetic materials and high-pressure systems requiring specialized safety facilities, environmental permits, and workforce training. ITAR regulations control all export of rocket propulsion technology, and most production occurs under classified or controlled access government contracts with Department of Defense and NASA oversight at every manufacturing milestone.
What's Included in This Industry
- Solid rocket motor manufacturing for missiles
- Liquid rocket engine production for launch vehicles
- Solid rocket booster segment manufacturing
- Satellite thruster and reaction control production
- Tactical missile propulsion manufacturing
- Rocket nozzle and exit cone production
- Propellant mixing and casting operations
- Turbopump assembly and testing
- Thrust chamber manufacturing
- Hybrid rocket motor production
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Subsector | Transportation Equipment Manufacturing | 336 |
| Industry Group | Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing | 3364 |
| NAICS Industry | Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing | 33641 |
| National Industry | Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Propulsion Unit and Propulsion Unit Parts Manufacturing | 336415 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 336414 | Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing | Manufactures complete guided missiles and space vehicles that incorporate the propulsion units produced here rather than the rocket motors and engines themselves |
| 336419 | Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing | Produces other guided missile and space vehicle parts classified separately from the propulsion units and rocket motor components manufactured in this dedicated classification |
| 336412 | Aircraft Engine and Engine Parts Manufacturing | Manufactures aircraft turbine engines for air-breathing propulsion rather than the rocket motors and liquid engines that operate outside the atmosphere produced here |
| 336411 | Aircraft Manufacturing | Produces aircraft airframes for atmospheric flight rather than the rocket propulsion hardware designed for missile and space vehicle applications manufactured here |
| 325920 | Explosives Manufacturing | Manufactures explosives and propellant chemicals as bulk materials rather than the finished solid rocket motors that incorporate those propellants into complete propulsion units |
| 333611 | Turbine and Turbine Generator Set Units Manufacturing | Produces turbines and turbine generator sets for industrial power generation rather than the rocket turbopumps and thrust chambers manufactured for space propulsion applications |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 45.0% | 9 |
| 2 | Florida | 25.0% | 5 |
| 3 | Washington | 15.0% | 3 |
| 4 | Colorado | 15.0% | 3 |
% Of Establishments
0%
45%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What types of businesses are classified under NAICS 336415?
Manufacturers of rocket propulsion units for guided missiles and space vehicles classify here. Products include solid rocket motors, liquid rocket engines, satellite thrusters, solid booster segments, and tactical missile propulsion systems per the Census Bureau[4] classification.
How is the rocket propulsion manufacturing industry structured?
Roughly 52 businesses employ an estimated 19,800 workers per Census data[10]. Two to three major producers dominate solid and liquid propulsion while smaller firms develop emerging technologies including hybrid motors and small satellite propulsion for the growing commercial space launch market.
What is the SBA size standard for NAICS 336415?
The SBA[6] sets the threshold at 1,250 employees. Businesses with fewer than 1,250 average employees qualify as small for federal contracting preferences and SBA-backed financing programs including 7(a) and 504 loans.
What NAICS codes are related to propulsion unit manufacturing?
Related codes include 336414 (Missiles and Spacecraft), 336419 (Space Vehicle Parts), 336412 (Aircraft Engines), 336411 (Aircraft), 325920 (Explosives), and 333611 (Industrial Turbines). Each covers either complete vehicles, other aerospace components, propellant chemicals, or power generation equipment distinct from rocket propulsion.
What industries interact with rocket propulsion manufacturers?
Missile and spacecraft prime contractors, space vehicle parts producers, explosives manufacturers, R&D firms, and defense agencies interact most directly. Government contracts from DoD and NASA fund virtually all production, with commercial launch providers representing a growing but still secondary customer category.
What activities are included in NAICS 336415?
Activities include mixing and casting solid rocket propellant into motor cases, machining turbopump components for liquid engines, fabricating regenerative-cooled thrust chambers, assembling solid rocket booster segments, manufacturing satellite station-keeping thrusters, producing rocket nozzles and exit cones, and conducting static hot-fire test programs on instrumented test stands.
Can rocket propulsion manufacturers qualify for SBA loans?
Yes, firms below 1,250 employees qualify for SBA lending programs[7] including 7(a) and 504 loans. Propellant mixing facilities, hot-fire test stands, X-ray inspection systems, and clean room assembly equipment represent capital investments suited to SBA 504 equipment financing.
Where are rocket propulsion manufacturers concentrated?
Production concentrates near military test ranges and prime contractor facilities. Major sites include Promontory, Utah (Northrop Grumman solid motors), West Palm Beach, Florida and Sacramento, California (Aerojet Rocketdyne), Hawthorne, California (SpaceX), and Kent, Washington (Blue Origin). Remote locations for propellant mixing and motor testing reflect safety requirements for energetic material handling and large-scale static fire operations.
Sources & References
Government datasets and editorial sources used in this report.
- [1]U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages bls.gov
- [2]U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Census census.gov
- [3]U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns census.gov
- [4]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [5]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [6]Small Business Administration sba.gov
- [7]SBA's contracting programs sba.gov
- [8]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [9]504 loans sba.gov
- [10]Census data naicslist.com
Disclaimer
This publication has been prepared by Fair Market Value (“Fair Market Value”) for informational purposes only. It is provided on an “as-is” and “as available” basis. Fair Market Value makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, regarding the merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, completeness, or accuracy of the data or information contained herein. This publication is not intended to be, and should not be construed as, professional financial, legal, tax, or investment advice. Users should consult with qualified professionals before making any financial or business decisions based on the information presented.
To the extent permitted by law, Fair Market Value disclaims all liability for loss or damage, direct and indirect, suffered or incurred by any person resulting from the use of, or reliance upon, the data in this publication.
Copyright © 2026 Fair Market Value. All rights reserved. All data, information, articles, graphs, and content contained in this publication are copyrighted works and Fair Market Value hereby reserves all rights. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced, republished, uploaded to a third party, or distributed without the prior written permission of Fair Market Value.