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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Castelion Plans Sandoval County, New Mexico, Rocket Motor Manufacturing Operations

11/18/2025
Defense technology company Castelion plans to establish solid rocket motor manufacturing operations in Sandoval County, New Mexico. The more than $100 million project is expected to create approximately 300 jobs.

The company’s new 1,000-acre campus, located northwest of Rio Rancho, will produce solid rocket motors, conduct static tests and assemble components to produce finished rounds.

“After a highly competitive nationwide search, we chose New Mexico for its technical talent, regional infrastructure, and history of scientific achievement,” said Andrew Kreitz, co-founder and CFO of Castelion. “Project Ranger represents a critical step in restoring America’s capacity to produce the advanced systems our country needs. We’re proud to partner with a community with a long history of innovation that has powered some of our nation’s greatest leaps forward.”

Castelion focuses on the rapid, scalable development and manufacturing of affordable, long-range, non-nuclear hypersonic strike weapons. The company’s first weapon system is the Blackbeard which has completed multiple developmental test flights.

“From the Manhattan Project to modern hypersonics, New Mexico has defined what innovation in defense technology looks like,” said Rob Black, cabinet secretary of the New Mexico Economic Development Department. “Securing this investment propels our innovation economy forward, creating high-tech careers and reinforcing our position as a hub for advanced manufacturing and national security.”

Castelion was founded with a mission to restore the U.S. industrial base for defense, producing next-generation hypersonic systems at scale to help the U.S. and its allies deter global threats and prevent conflict.

“Project Ranger’s decision to locate in Sandoval County is a major win for our region,” noted Chad Matheson, interim president and CEO of AREA. “This announcement reflects the strength of our leadership, our public-private partnerships and further exemplifies Greater Albuquerque and New Mexico’s position as a leader in defense technology and innovation.”

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