Aerojet Rocketdyne awarded $215.6M to increase rocket motor manufacturing capacity
April 20, 2023
Aerojet Rocketdyne, El Segundo, California, USA, has entered into a $215.6 million Cooperative Agreement with the United States Defense Department to increase domestic rocket propulsion manufacturing capacity to meet increased warfighter demand for tactical missile systems used by the Department of Defense (DoD).
Through a cooperative agreement with the Office of Manufacturing Capability Expansion and Investment Prioritization (MCEIP), Aerojet Rocketdyne intends to build additional modernised facilities, purchase advanced equipment, and automate manufacturing processes to support increased production demand primarily focused on Javelin, Stinger and the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS).
Enhanced modernisation of solid rocket motor production is expected to directly support industry and military services. The company will also implement elements of Digital Transformation that align its enterprise with US DoD’s Digital Modernisation Strategy to afford the Joint Force a competitive advantage in the modern battlespace.
“These funds will build upon our own significant investments in modern, efficient facilities and innovative technologies and processes to design and develop advanced propulsion systems to support the defense missions of tomorrow,” stated Eileen P Drake, Aerojet Rocketdyne’s CEO and president.
Aerojet Rocketdyne’s ongoing modernisation efforts include building state-of-the-art facilities and automating manufacturing processes. Recent investments include a 4,700 m2 facility in its Camden, Arkansas, site that consolidates solid rocket motor manufacturing activities, improving both efficiency and safety, increasing production capacity, and reducing costs.
The company recently leased a 35,000 m2 facility to expand manufacturing capability in Huntsville, Alabama, where it will produce inert components to support solid rocket motors for a range of defense programmes. The company also opened a new space at its Coleman Aerospace site, where employees are producing the innovative Stored Chemical Energy Propulsion System for next generation torpedoes.
It was announced in December that L3Harris Technologies will acquire Aerojet Rocketdyne this year, in a transaction valued at $4.7 billion.
