Castelion, a defense technology company, today announced that it has officially selected Sandoval County, New Mexico, as the site for Project Ranger, a 1,000-acre solid rocket motor manufacturing campus.
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham
Cabinet Secretary Rob Black
Deputy Cabinet Secretary Isaac Romero
Contact: Chris Chaffin
Chris.Chaffin@edd.nm.gov
(505) 490-7962
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 17, 2025
Castelion chooses New Mexico as home for “Project Ranger,” its newest hypersonic manufacturing campus
Solid rocket motor facility will create 300+ high–paying jobs.
ALBUQUERQUE — Castelion, a defense technology company, today announced that it has officially selected Sandoval County, New Mexico, as the site for Project Ranger, a 1,000-acre solid rocket motor manufacturing campus.
The campus is projected to create more than 300 high-paying jobs and generate more than $650 million in economic output over the next decade. The company plans to invest more than $100 million over the first four years of Project Ranger’s development, with more capital to follow.
Project Ranger will enable rapid, scalable production of advanced long-range systems, reinforcing New Mexico’s position at the forefront of defense innovation.
“New Mexico has always been front and center in shaping the frontiers of American defense and innovation,” said New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. “This project helps carry that legacy forward — creating high-paying jobs, advancing national security and proving once again that New Mexico is where bold ideas take flight.”
Headquartered in Torrance, California, 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.
“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.”
Local and regional collaboration was essential to New Mexico’s selection, driven by efforts from Sandoval County, the City of Rio Rancho, the Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance (AREA), Sandoval Economic Alliance (SEA), and state and federal officials.
“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.”
“Throughout my time in Congress, I’ve been proud to bolster New Mexico’s bases, defense research labs, and private industry partners so we can keep excelling in emerging defense capabilities,” said New Mexico Senator Martin Heinrich. “Castelion’s new manufacturing facility in Sandoval County will strengthen our national security, grow our state’s economy, and create over 300 permanent jobs that New Mexicans can build their families around. This is a great example of what New Mexico does best: Developing cutting-edge science and technology and manufacturing it right here in our state.”
“To attract a company like Castelion to Sandoval County is the result of hard work and commitment by the company, its site selector, and area economic development entities, government and businesses,” said Michael Meek, Sandoval County Board of Commissioners chair. “This cutting-edge defense technology company brings career opportunities to hundreds of New Mexicans through its workforce. Further, its presence here will support existing local businesses and potentially make way for new ones.”
“Sandoval County has demonstrated to Castelion through a rigorous site selection process that we are a solid business partner and are ready to help the company realize its vision and support its success,” said Wayne Johnson, Sandoval County manager. “We appreciate Castelion’s vote of confidence by choosing Sandoval County as its next production site for rocket motor manufacturing and look forward to a mutually beneficial business relationship.”
“Project Ranger’s decision to locate in Sandoval County is a major win for our region,” said 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.”
“In line with Rio Rancho’s history of advanced manufacturing and New Mexico’s expertise in national defense, we look forward to welcoming Castelion to the region,” said Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull. “Rio Rancho and New Mexico have the talented workforce to accelerate Castelion’s growth trajectory.”
“I am deeply honored and thankful Castelion will be building hypersonic missiles that are needed for the
defense of our country,” said New Mexico state Senator Jay Block. “The United States is behind in
the hypersonic race and now because of Castelion, we will close the gap and leap ahead of our peers. Rio
Rancho will now play a huge part contributing to our national defense and we should all be very proud of
that.”
The manufacturing campus will produce solid rocket motors, conduct static tests and assemble components to produce finished rounds. The company expects to break ground in early 2026.
###
