- Aerojet Rocketdyne provides SM-3 Block IIA reliable first-stage propulsion and Throttling Divert and Attitude Control System
- Second successful flight test of the SM-3 Block IIA missile system in under 60 days
SACRAMENTO, Calif., Dec. 20, 2018 – Aerojet Rocketdyne announced today that its propulsion systems supported the flight test and third successful intercept test of Raytheon’s Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IIA 21” diameter interceptor.
During the FTI-03 flight test, conducted by the U.S. Navy and Missile Defense Agency, the SM-3 Block IIA “hit-to-kill” interceptor was launched from land at the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF), Barking Sands in Kauai, Hawaii, against an Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM).
Aerojet Rocketdyne’s MK 72 booster provided the first-stage propulsion on the SM-3 Block IIA, and the company’s Throttling Divert and Attitude Control System (TDACS) maneuvered the kinetic warhead to meet the ballistic missile target in space.
“Supporting two successful flight tests of the SM-3 Block IIA missile system in under 60 days is an extraordinary accomplishment that underscores the reliability our booster and Throttling Divert and Attitude Control System have maintained,” said Aerojet Rocketdyne CEO and President Eileen Drake. “This successful flight further solidifies the robustness of this weapon platform to defend against increasing ballistic missile threats around the world.”
About Aerojet Rocketdyne:
Aerojet Rocketdyne, a subsidiary of Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:AJRD), is a world-recognized aerospace and defense leader that provides propulsion systems and energetics to the space, missile defense and strategic systems, and tactical systems areas, in support of domestic and international customers. For more information, visit www.Rocket.com and www.AerojetRocketdyne.com. Follow Aerojet Rocketdyne and CEO Eileen Drake on Twitter at @AerojetRdyne and @DrakeEileen.
