Safran will double production capacity at its Texas facility for turbojet engines used in missiles and drones, adding US assembly capacity for the TR40 engine that powers the Naval Strike Missile (NSM).
Safran Power Units said the expansion at its Grand Prairie site will start regular production in 2028. The company did not disclose the value of the investment.
Demand for the TR40 family has quadrupled in recent years, according to Safran.
The French company said the new assembly line will support growing demand from US defense customers and could be expanded further as requirements increase.
“By investing in advanced technologies and local talent, we are strengthening the resilience of critical supply chains,” Safran CEO Olivier Andries said.
Safran has produced engines in Texas since 1989 and already assembled engines there for the Kratos BQM-167 and BQM-177 aerial targets. The facility also supports Safran’s broader US operations, while the company has more than 11,000 employees across 71 sites in 25 states.
NSM’s TR40 Engine
The TR40 is the propulsion system for the NSM, a long-range anti-ship missile developed by Norwegian firm Kongsberg. Its compact size and thrust-to-weight ratio allow it to fit within the missile’s relatively small airframe while providing the propulsion needed for long-range flight.
Safran said the engine has been in commercial and operational use for more than 20 years, with more than 1,200 units delivered worldwide.
For the US military, the relevant procurement is for the complete NSM rather than a separately identified TR40 program.
The US Navy and Marine Corps buy the same NSM configuration, with the missile serving as the navy’s long-range anti-surface weapon and the marine corps’ weapon for the Navy/Marine Corps Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System.