Aerojet Rocketdyne Powers Key U.S. Missile Defense Test with Advanced MRBM Target

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Aerojet Rocketdyne Powers Key U.S. Missile Defense Test with Advanced MRBM Target
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Feb 09, 2024

In a key demonstration of U.S. missile defense capabilities, Aerojet Rocketdyne, a subsidiary of L3Harris Technologies [NYSE:LHX], played a crucial role in the Missile Defense Agency's (MDA) latest test, aimed at bolstering the nation's defenses against medium-range ballistic missile threats. The exercise, designated FTX-23, utilized Aerojet Rocketdyne's Medium Range Ballistic Missile (MRBM) target, underpinning the test's success and showcasing the advanced missile defense technologies currently in development.

The FTX-23 test involved two Aegis-equipped ships and the Aegis Ashore Missile Defense Test Complex, focusing on target scene data collection from an MRBM equipped with countermeasures. This sophisticated test setup also included the deployment of a Standard Missile-3 Block IIA (SM-3 Blk IIA) against the MRBM target, providing a comprehensive evaluation of the missile defense system's capabilities in a simulated threat environment.

Ross Niebergall, President of Aerojet Rocketdyne, highlighted the significance of their contribution: "By providing a high-fidelity target, our team helped ensure the MDA's test program provided a realistic threat environment." The inclusion of the MRBM target and the C-17 cargo aircraft launch system is critical for enabling efficient operations across remote global locations, a necessity for conducting effective missile defense tests.

Aerojet Rocketdyne's involvement extends beyond the provision of the MRBM target; their Coleman site is responsible for the design, manufacturing, and launch of MRBM Type 1 and Type 2 targets. The company also delivers comprehensive integrated logistics support, which includes inventory storage, maintenance, pre- and post-mission analysis, launch preparation, execution, and engineering services, ensuring the highest levels of mission support and success.

Marking the 38th launch in support of the U.S. missile defense program, this successful mission underscores Aerojet Rocketdyne's vital role in enhancing national security through advanced defense technology. The collaboration between Aerojet Rocketdyne, L3Harris Technologies, and the MDA exemplifies the critical importance of state-of-the-art defense systems in addressing modern missile threats, ensuring the continued safety and security of the United States and its allies.