For more than 80 years, L3Harris has provided reliable, innovative propulsion to protect our warfighters, our nation and allies. As the Trusted Disruptor, we are innovating processes and materials to increase production capacity and weapon range, speed and lethality.
We are moving the mission forward by modernizing our facilities to deliver more solid rocket motors faster and more affordably.
We’re building new manufacturing facilities across multiple sites and increasing capacity to support today’s surges and tomorrow’s needs.
In 2020, Aerojet Rocketdyne, prior to be acquired by L3Harris, opened its Engineering, Manufacturing and Development (EMD) facility in Camden, Arkansas. The state-of-the-art EMD facility expanded the company’s decades-long production of solid rocket motors in Camden, where the company currently produces more than 100,000 solid rocket motors a year from those that fit in the palm of your hand to motors the size of a small car. The EMD facility was specifically designed to serve as the developmental gateway for future large solid rocket motor product opportunities like Sentinel, hypersonic boosters, missile defense targets and small launch vehicles.
Home to a massive 379,000 sq. ft. manufacturing site in addition to a 136,000 sq. ft. Advanced Manufacturing Facility specializing in the production of solid rocket motor cases and other inert components of critical defense hardware.
Our Virginia site specializes in the manufacture of small solid rocket motors and gas generators for defense and space systems and features a unique air-breathing test facility. Our Orange site also conducts research and development activities to improve existing propellants and identify new ones.
In 2023, Aerojet Rocketdyne, prior to being acquired by L3Harris, entered into a $215.6 million Cooperative Agreement with the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Office of Manufacturing Capability Expansion and Investment Prioritization (MCEIP) to expand and modernize AR’s facilities in Camden, Huntsville and Orange County, Virginia, where the company manufactures complex rocket propulsion systems.
Under the Cooperative Agreement, the company is building additional modernized facilities, purchasing advanced equipment, and automating manufacturing processes to support increased production demand focused on Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS), Javelin, and Stinger missiles.
L3Harris is implementing digital transformation infrastructure and processes that align the company with DoD’s Digital Modernization Strategy to afford the Joint Force a competitive advantage in the modern battlespace.
Evolving Threats Require Proven Propulsion
The men and women of L3Harris have produced solid rocket motors for decades, supporting defense systems that have protected our warfighters, our nation and our allies.
L3Harris' legacy producing solid rocket motors began with the Jet Assisted Take Off (JATO) motor, which provided extra boosting power for U.S. military planes during World War II.
During the 1950s and 1960s, L3Harris pioneered the development of solid- and liquid-fueled propulsion technology for U.S. missile and space programs.
From supporting America’s earliest solid-fueled strategic missiles, including the Minuteman I and Polaris, and providing propulsion for every U.S. Air Force Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) ICBM ever fielded, to powering tactical, air defense and missile defense systems protecting our nation and allies today, L3Harris has a strong legacy of delivering proven propulsion.
The L3Harris Difference - Delivering on Aerojet Rocketdyne
L3Harris propulsion has powered our nation’s defense for decades, and we are leveraging that expertise to provide innovative, reliable and affordable propulsion to power next generation systems.
Our solid rocket motors incorporate lightweight graphite composite cases, advanced nozzles and high-energy, long-life propellants tailored to your mission.
L3Harris to Provide Propulsion for Hypersonic Defense System
L3Harris Technologies will provide two key propulsion systems to Northrop Grumman to support the Missile Defense Agency’s Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI) program, a defensive weapon intended to defeat hypersonic glide vehicles.
Press release | 09. 26. 2024
L3Harris to Provide Propulsion for Hypersonic Defense System
Editorial | 09. 16. 2024
The Propulsion Technology is Ready to Power Operational Hypersonic Systems Now
Press release | 08. 13. 2024
L3Harris Marks Artemis III and IV Jettison Solid Rocket Motor Milestones
Editorial | 08. 06. 2024
For L3Harris’ Camden Team, Supporting U.S. Air Defense is More Than a Job
Editorial | 07. 01. 2024
Proven Propulsion: The Science of Solid Rocket Motors