NAICS 336415

Overview

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is the framework federal statistical agencies use to categorize business establishments so they can collect, analyze, and publish data on the U.S. economy. Developed under the Office of Management and Budget and adopted in 1997 to replace SIC, NAICS was jointly created by the U.S. ECPC, Statistics Canada, and Mexico’s INEGI; the current reference vintage is 2022. ¹
U.S. industry code 336415 covers firms primarily engaged in manufacturing guided missile and/or space vehicle propulsion units and propulsion unit parts, as well as developing and producing prototypes of such propulsion units and parts. Agencies use this code to distinguish propulsion-specific production from complete missile/space vehicle manufacturing and from other aerospace parts. ²

See also on G2X:

• G2X — NAICS 336415 overview
• G2X — NAICS 336414 (Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing)
• G2X — NAICS 336419 (Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing)

What this NAICS covers

• Manufacturing of guided missile propulsion units (e.g., solid or liquid rocket propulsion assemblies). ²
• Manufacturing of space vehicle propulsion units (orbital or launch vehicle propulsion). ²
• Fabrication of propulsion unit parts (e.g., nozzles, turbomachinery components, thrust vector control hardware). ²
• Prototype development and pilot production of guided missile and space vehicle propulsion units and parts. ²
• Integration and assembly of propulsion sections for missiles and space vehicles. ²
• Production of propulsion subsystems uniquely designed for missile/space applications (distinct from aircraft engines). ²

Related NAICS and PSC codes

NAICS descriptors per U.S. Census Bureau. ²
PSC descriptors per GSA PSC Manual. ³

Boundary and exclusions (official cross‑references)

• Complete guided missiles and space vehicles fall under NAICS 336414; code 336415 is reserved for propulsion units and parts. ²
• Missile/space vehicle parts and auxiliary equipment other than propulsion units and propulsion parts are classified in NAICS 336419. ²
• Aircraft engines and engine parts are classified in NAICS 336412; propulsion units for guided missiles/space vehicles remain in 336415. ²
• Research and development establishments (except prototype production) are classified in R&D industries rather than 336415. Noted by Census in cross‑references. ²

Frequently asked questions

• What activities qualify under NAICS 336415?
  Manufacturing guided missile or space vehicle propulsion units and propulsion unit parts, plus developing and making prototypes of those units/parts, are in scope. This code differentiates propulsion-focused production from complete missile/space vehicle builds and from non-propulsion aerospace parts. ²

• How is NAICS 336415 different from NAICS 336414?
  NAICS 336414 covers complete guided missiles and space vehicles. NAICS 336415 is specific to propulsion units and propulsion unit parts for those systems, including prototype manufacture. ²
  See also on G2X: NAICS 336414

• Do prototypes belong in NAICS 336415?
  Yes. Prototype development and production of guided missile and space vehicle propulsion units and propulsion parts are explicitly included in this industry’s definition. R&D that does not involve prototype production belongs in R&D industries, not in 336415. ²

• What PSC codes often align with NAICS 336415 deliverables?
  Commonly used PSCs include 1337 for solid-fuel guided missile/space propulsion units and components and 2840 for aircraft gas turbines/jet engines and components. Selection depends on the exact item procured. ³

• What is the SBA small business size standard for NAICS 336415?
  SBA’s table lists NAICS 336415 with a small business size standard of 1,250 employees. Contracting officials should rely on the current SBA Table of Size Standards or 13 CFR 121.201 for authoritative values. ⁴

• Is NAICS 336415 identified in the Women‑Owned Small Business (WOSB) Program?
  Yes. SBA’s eligible NAICS list includes 336415 for the WOSB program, subject to program requirements. Always consult the current SBA list to confirm eligibility. ⁵

Useful resources

• G2X — NAICS 336415 overview
• U.S. Census — NAICS Codes & Understanding Industry Classification Systems (2022 vintage). ¹
• U.S. Census — NAICS 336415 (2022 definition page). ²
• GSA — Product and Service Code (PSC) Manual (current edition). ³
• SBA — Table of Small Business Size Standards (effective March 17, 2023; current reference). ⁴

References

1. U.S. Census Bureau, NAICS Codes & Understanding Industry Classification Systems (2022 Guidance). https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/economic-census/year/2022/technical-documentation/code-lists/understanding-naics-redirect.html
2. U.S. Census Bureau, NAICS 336415 — Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Propulsion Unit and Propulsion Unit Parts Manufacturing (2022). https://www.census.gov/naics/?input=336415&year=2022&details=336415
3. U.S. General Services Administration, Product and Service Code (PSC) Manual. https://www.acquisition.gov/psc-manual/all
4. U.S. Small Business Administration, Table of Size Standards (effective March 17, 2023). https://www.sba.gov/document/support--table-size-standards
5. U.S. Small Business Administration, Eligible NAICS for the Women‑Owned Small Business Federal Contracting Program. https://www.sba.gov/document/support-eligible-naics-women-owned-small-business-federal-contracting-program