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Aerojet Rocketdyne is a subsidiary of American defense company L3Harris that manufactures rocket, hypersonic, and electric propulsive systems for space, defense, civil and commercial applications.[3][4][2] Aerojet traces its origins to the General Tire and Rubber Company (later renamed GenCorp, Inc. as it diversified) established in 1915, while Rocketdyne was created as a division of North American Aviation in 1955.[5][6] Aerojet Rocketdyne was formed in 2013 when Aerojet and Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne were merged, following the latter's acquisition by GenCorp, Inc. from Pratt & Whitney.[7][8] Aerojet Rocketdyne was acquired by L3Harris in July 2023 for $4.7 billion.

Key Information

History

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Background: Aerojet

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Main article: General Tire and Rubber Company

Several decades after it began manufacturing rubber products, General Tire & Rubber diversified into broadcasting and aeronautics.

In the 1940s, the Aerojet company began experimenting with various rocket designs. For a solid-fuel rocket, they needed binders, and turned to General Tire & Rubber for assistance. General became a partner in the company.

Radio broadcasting began with the purchase of several radio networks starting in 1943. In 1952, its purchase of WOR-TV expanded the broadcast business into television. In 1953, General Tire & Rubber bought the RKO Radio Pictures movie studio.[9] All of its media and entertainment holdings were organized into the RKO General division.

Due to the studio and rocket businesses, General Tire & Rubber came to own a great deal of property in California. Its internal facilities management unit began commercializing its operations, landing General Tire & Rubber in the real estate business. This started when Aerojet-General Corporation acquired approximately 12,600 acres (51 km2) of land in Eastern Sacramento County. Aerojet converted these former gold fields into one of the premier rocket manufacturing and testing facilities in the Western world. However, most of this land was used to provide safe buffer zones for Aerojet's testing and manufacturing operations. Later, as the need for these facilities and safety zones decreased, the property became available for other uses. Located 15 miles (24 km) northeast of Sacramento along U.S. Highway 50, the properties were valuable, being in a key growth corridor in the region. Approximately 6,000 acres (24 km2) of the Aerojet lands are now being planned as a community called Easton. Easton Development Company LLC was formed to assist in the process.[10]

Background: Rocketdyne

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Rocketdyne F-1 engines on the Saturn V first stage.

In 1955, North American Aviation spun off Rocketdyne, a developer of rocket motors that built upon research conducted into the German V-2 Rocket after World War II. Rocketdyne would become a major supplier for NASA, producing the Rocketdyne F-1 engine for the Saturn V rocket of the Apollo Space Program as well as the RS-25 engine of the Space Shuttle program and its successor the Space Launch System (SLS) program.

Aerojet Rocketdyne engines have contributed to every successful NASA Mars mission, including powering the launch, entry, descent, and landing phases of the Perseverance rover mission.[11]

Name change

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GenCorp, Inc. wordmark until 2015.

In 1984, General Tire created a parent holding company, GenCorp, Inc., for its various business ventures.

The main subsidiaries were:

  • General Tire and Rubber
  • RKO General, the broadcast arm of the conglomerate;
  • DiversiTech General, a manufacturer of tennis balls and polymer products, including automotive soundproofing and home wallpapers.
  • Aerojet General, a defense (missile) contractor.

Through its RKO General subsidiary, the company also held stakes in:

Disconglomeration

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Faced with a hostile takeover attempt, among other difficulties, GenCorp, Inc. shed some of its long-held units in the late 1980s.

RKO General ran into difficulties with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) during license renewal proceedings in the late 1980s. The FCC was reluctant to renew the broadcast licenses, due to widespread lying to advertisers and regulators. As a result of the protracted proceedings, GenCorp sold RKO General's broadcast properties beginning in 1987.

GenCorp, Inc. also sold its former flagship, General Tire, to German tire manufacturer Continental AG in order to concentrate on Aerojet.

In 1999, GenCorp, Inc. spun off its Decorative & Building Products and Performance Chemicals businesses. GenCorp, Inc. formed OMNOVA Solutions Inc. into a separate, publicly traded company, and transferred those businesses into it.

GenCorp, Inc.'s two remaining businesses, as of 2008, were Aerojet and Easton Real Estate.[12]

Pension problems and leadership changes

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GenCorp, Inc. withdrew its over-funded pension during the real estate boom years of 2006 and 2007. The real estate bust caused an underfunding of the pension plan of over $300 million. This caused a freeze of its pension plan on February 1, 2009, and an end to 401(k) match on January 15, 2009. The move was expected to save the company 29 million a year.[13]

In March 2008, hedge fund Steel Partners II, which owned 14% of GenCorp, Inc., made an agreement that saw Terry J. Hall step down as CEO and gave Steel Partners II control of three board seats plus the selection of the new CEO (who would also hold a board seat). Steel Partners II had previously attempted a hostile takeover in 2004, and forced the deal after complaining about "significant underperformance and deterioration of share price". Aerojet President J. Scott Neish was named interim CEO.[14]

In January 2010, Scott Seymour, the former head of Northrop Grumman Integrated Systems from 2002 to 2008, was appointed permanent CEO of GenCorp, Inc. and Neish resigned.[15]

Aeronautics expansion

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Aerojet Rocketdyne logo until 2023, which also used by its holding company.

In July 2012, GenCorp, Inc. agreed to buy rocket engine producer Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne from United Technologies Corporation for $550 million.[16][17][18] The FTC approved the deal on June 10, 2013, and it closed on June 17.[19] [20][21][22] GenCorp, Inc. was later renamed Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc on April 27, 2015.[23]

Abandoned acquisition by Lockheed Martin

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On December 20, 2020, it was announced that Lockheed Martin would acquire the company for $4.4 billion.[24] The acquisition was expected to close in first quarter of 2022,[25] but this received opposition from Raytheon Technologies. Later the FTC sued to block this deal on a 4–0 vote in January 2022 on grounds that this would eliminate the largest independent maker of rocket motors[26][27] and Lockheed subsequently abandoned the deal in February 2022.[28][29]

Acquisition by L3Harris

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In December 2022, L3Harris Technologies agreed to buy the company for $4.7 billion in cash.[30] The acquisition was completed in July 2023.[31] L3Harris named former CTO Ross Niebergall as president of the new Aerojet Rocketdyne business segment,[2] which would now be headquartered in Palm Bay, Florida.[32]

Products

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RS-25 engines

Current engines

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Former production engines and others

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  • Rocketdyne F-1 (RP-1/LOX) – The main engine of the first stage of the Saturn V rocket used in the Apollo program. The most powerful single combustion chamber liquid-propellant rocket engine ever developed.[34]
  • Rocketdyne J-2 (LH2/LOX) – Used on the upper stage of the Saturn IB and second and upper stages of Saturn V.
  • SJ61 (JP-7/ingested air) – A dual-mode ramjet/scramjet engine flown on the Boeing X-51 hypersonic demonstration vehicle.
  • AJ10 (Aerozine 50/N2O4) – Second stage engine for the Delta II, used as the Orbital Maneuvering System (OMS) engine for the Space Shuttle, and the main engine for the European Orion Service Module.
  • AR1 (RP-1/LOX) – A proposed 500,000-pound-force-class (2,200 kN) thrust RP-1/LOX oxidizer-rich staged combustion cycle engine.[35]
  • Rocketdyne H-1 (RP-1/LOX) – A first stage engine flown on the Saturn I and Saturn IB launch vehicles.
  • RS-27 (RP-1/LOX) – A first stage engine flown on the Delta 2000 launch vehicle.
  • RS-27A (RP-1/LOX) – A first stage engine flown on the Delta II and Delta III.
  • RS-68 (LH2/LOX) – A first stage engine flown on the Delta IV, designed as a simplified version of the RS-25 due to its expendable usage. It is the largest hydrogen-fueled rocket engine ever flown.
  • J-2X (LH2/LOX) – An engine that was originally being developed for the Ares I's upper stage before the cancellation of the Constellation program. The engine was considered for the Space Launch System's Exploration Upper Stage before being replaced with a cluster of four RL10s. It is based on the Rocketdyne J-2.
  • Baby Bantam (RP-1/LOX) – An 22 kN (5,000 lbf) thrust engine.[36] In June 2014, Aerojet Rocketdyne announced that they had "manufactured and successfully tested an engine which had been entirely 3D printed".
  • AJ-26 (RP-1/LOX) – Rebranded and modified NK-33 engines imported from Russia. Used as first stage engine for the Antares before being replaced by the RD-181.
  • AJ-60A (Solid – HTPB) – A solid rocket motor formerly used for the Atlas V launch vehicle, until being replaced by the Northrop Grumman GEM-63 in 2021.[37]
  • AR-22 (LH2/LOX) – An engine in development from 2017 to 2020 for the XS-1 spacecraft, also known as the Phantom Express. The engine is based on the RS-25 and utilizing parts remaining in Aerojet Rocketdyne and NASA inventories from earlier versions of the RS-25. Two of the engines would have been built for the spaceplane.[38] Boeing pulled out of the project in January 2020, effectively ending it.[39]

In development

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X3 ion thruster

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On 13 October 2017, it was reported that Aerojet Rocketdyne completed a keystone demonstration on a new X3 ion thruster, which is a central part of the XR-100 system for the NextSTEP program.[40][41] The X3 ion thruster was designed by the University of Michigan[42] and is being developed in partnership with the University of Michigan, NASA, and the Air Force. The X3 is a Hall-effect thruster operating at over 100 kW of power. During the demonstration, it broke records for the maximum power output, thrust and operating current achieved by a Hall thruster to date.[40] It operated at a range of power from 5 kW to 102 kW, with electric current of up to 260 amperes. It generated 5.4 newtons of thrust, "which is the highest level of thrust achieved by any plasma thruster to date".[40][43] A novelty in its design is that it incorporates three plasma channels, each a few centimeters deep, nested around one another in concentric rings.[41] The system is 227 kg (500 lb) and almost 1 metre (3 ft 3 in) in diameter.[40]

Other notable products

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Multi-mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator

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Aerojet Rocketdyne is the prime contractor to the US Department of Energy for the Multi-mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator. The first flight MMRTG is currently powering the Mars Curiosity Rover, and a second flight unit powers the Perseverance Rover.[citation needed]

See also

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Aerojet Rocketdyne

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Aerojet Rocketdyne is an American and defense company specializing in technologies, including liquid and solid engines, thrusters, and warheads for vehicles, systems, and hypersonic weapons. Formed in 2013 by the merger of and the Rocketdyne division of , the company traces its origins to pioneering development efforts dating back to the and . Aerojet Rocketdyne's systems have powered landmark achievements in space exploration, such as the Apollo program's rocket, the Space Shuttle's engines, and ongoing Artemis missions via the (SLS) core stage boosters. In defense applications, its solid rocket motors equip systems like the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptor and Precision Attack Missile (PAM), with recent milestones including delivery of the 1,000th THAAD boost motor ahead of schedule. The company was acquired by Technologies in July 2023 for $4.7 billion, integrating its capabilities into a broader portfolio focused on and space dominance, amid increased investments in modernization. Despite past challenges like regulatory scrutiny during the acquisition process, Aerojet Rocketdyne continues to advance technologies for next-generation interceptors and hypersonic .

History

Origins of Aerojet

Aerojet originated from pioneering rocket research at the of the (GALCIT) during the late . A team led by aerodynamics expert , including Frank J. Malina, , Edward Forman, and Homer Bushey—derisively nicknamed the "Suicide Squad" for the explosive risks of their early experiments—pursued solid-propellant rockets to enhance aircraft performance. Their efforts centered on jet-assisted take-off () units, designed to provide auxiliary for heavily loaded planes facing short runways, addressing limitations in conventional propeller-driven . Initial static firings occurred in the Arroyo Seco area near Pasadena, with the first successful full-duration test of a JATO motor on October 31, 1939. U.S. Army Air Corps interest intensified following a dramatic demonstration on August 16, 1941, where a solid-fuel unit boosted an Ercoupe from a standing start. This proof-of-concept secured initial contracts for further development and production, necessitating a shift from academic prototyping to commercial manufacturing. On March 19, 1942, von Kármán, Malina, Parsons, Forman, Martin Summerfield, and attorney Andrew G. Haley incorporated Engineering Corporation in , with von Kármán as president and Malina as treasurer. The venture capitalized on wartime urgency, as Allied forces required innovations for air superiority. Aerojet received its inaugural production contract from the Army just three months after incorporation, producing units that proved vital for operations like the Pacific Theater island-hopping campaigns. The company established its first dedicated manufacturing site on Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena, scaling up from rudimentary GALCIT setups to industrial output of rocket motors. This foundation positioned Aerojet as one of the earliest dedicated rocket propulsion firms, driven by empirical testing and military imperatives rather than speculative theory.

Origins of Rocketdyne

Rocketdyne was established on November 7, 1955, as a dedicated division of North American Aviation (NAA) to consolidate and advance the company's rocket engine development efforts, initially focusing on liquid-propellant engines for military missiles. The division was headquartered in Canoga Park, California, and built upon NAA's prior propulsion work, which had accelerated during the early Cold War era amid U.S. Air Force demands for intercontinental-range weapons. The roots of Rocketdyne's technology trace to NAA's post-World War II examination of captured German engines. In 1946, NAA's Aerophysics Laboratory received two V-2/A-4 engines, which engineers disassembled, analyzed, and used as a basis for constructing three American replicas adapted to U.S. manufacturing standards and propellants. This hands-on reverse-engineering provided foundational knowledge in high-thrust, liquid-fueled rocket design, emphasizing turbopump-fed systems using (LOX) and alcohol or . NAA's early testing occurred at the , a 2,500-acre site leased in the in 1947 for static engine firings. A pivotal precursor was NAA's engine development for the Navaho supersonic program, launched in response to a U.S. Air Forces request for long-range guided weapons. The Navaho required a rocket-boosted configuration, leading NAA to design its first large-scale , the NAA 75-110 (also designated XLR43-NA-6), which delivered approximately 75,000 pounds of thrust using and 75-octane . This engine, tested from 1949 onward, addressed challenges in scalable thrust and reliable ignition, directly influencing subsequent designs like the Redstone A-6 engine and establishing NAA's expertise in clustered engine configurations for boost phases. By 1955, the accumulation of these projects—coupled with contracts for Atlas and Thor ballistic missiles—necessitated a specialized entity, formalizing Rocketdyne as NAA's propulsion arm with an initial emphasis on kerosene- engines for intermediate-range applications.

Formation of Aerojet Rocketdyne

GenCorp Inc., the parent company of Aerojet, entered into a definitive agreement on July 23, 2012, to acquire substantially all operations of from Corporation for approximately $550 million. The acquisition aimed to combine Aerojet's expertise in solid rocket and systems with Rocketdyne's liquid technologies, creating a unified entity capable of competing more effectively in the and defense market. The deal faced regulatory scrutiny but closed on June 14, 2013, marking the official formation of Aerojet Rocketdyne as the resulting business unit under GenCorp. This merger integrated Rocketdyne's facilities, including its Canoga Park operations in , with Aerojet's existing sites, roughly doubling GenCorp's revenue in the propulsion sector to about $2.2 billion annually. The new organization retained key leadership from both entities, with Aerojet's CEO Tim Reiley transitioning to head the combined company. Following the merger, GenCorp rebranded the propulsion division as Aerojet Rocketdyne, emphasizing its role in developing engines for vehicles, missiles, and defense systems. In 2014, GenCorp itself changed its corporate name to Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc., to align with the core business. The formation strengthened U.S. domestic capabilities in rocket propulsion amid growing demand for reliable engines in and programs.

Key Milestones and Challenges

Aerojet's development of jet-assisted take-off () units during marked an early milestone, enabling to launch from short runways and carriers by providing supplemental thrust from solid-fuel rockets. These units, first tested in the early 1940s, addressed critical operational limitations in combat aviation and laid the foundation for Aerojet's expertise in solid propulsion. Similarly, Rocketdyne's inception in 1955 as a division led to the F-1 engine's qualification in 1964, which powered the Saturn V's first stage during the , delivering over 1.5 million pounds of thrust per engine to enable the 1969 . The 2013 acquisition of by GenCorp for approximately $550 million unified liquid and solid propulsion capabilities under Aerojet Rocketdyne, combining 's solid rocket motors with Rocketdyne's high-performance engines like the , which had propelled every mission since 1981 with 512 flights by 2011. This merger aimed to streamline development for programs such as NASA's (SLS), where engines underwent successful full-duration hot-fire tests in 2017, validating reusability for deep-space missions. Aerojet Rocketdyne's contributions extended to defense, powering the missile system since the era, with motors remaining operational over 60 years later. Challenges emerged in supply chain and production scaling, particularly for solid rocket motors in the , where delays in delivering components like nozzles and igniters created backlogs for programs including Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS). By 2022, internal board conflicts and antitrust scrutiny derailed Lockheed Martin's $4.4 billion acquisition bid, as the cited risks of reduced competition in missile propulsion. Aerojet's market share erosion to competitors like in legacy solid motor contracts compounded financial pressures, necessitating the $4.7 billion acquisition by in 2023 to bolster capacity and stabilize operations. These issues highlighted vulnerabilities in subcontractor dependencies and regulatory hurdles amid rising defense demands.

Corporate Restructuring and Acquisitions

In July 2012, GenCorp Inc., the parent company of Aerojet General Corporation, announced an agreement to acquire from United Technologies Corporation for $550 million, subject to adjustments for working capital and other items. The transaction, financed through a combination of cash and debt, was completed in June 2013 following regulatory approvals, including clearance from the after its investigation confirmed no significant anticompetitive effects. This merger integrated Rocketdyne's liquid expertise with Aerojet's motor capabilities, forming as a new focused on systems; GenCorp subsequently rebranded itself as Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings Inc. in 2014 to reflect the entity's centrality to its operations. To streamline operations and reduce costs amid competitive pressures in the sector, Aerojet Rocketdyne consolidated its six existing business units into two primary divisions—Space and Defense—in June 2016, projecting annual savings of $8 million through eliminated redundancies in management and support functions. This restructuring emphasized core competencies in propulsion for government contracts while maintaining separate leadership for space-related (e.g., launch vehicles and in-space systems) and defense-related (e.g., and tactical applications) portfolios. Aerojet Rocketdyne pursued minor acquisitions to bolster niche technologies, including the purchase of 3D Material Technologies in 2019 to enhance additive for components, though such deals remained limited compared to its core . In December 2020, Corporation agreed to acquire Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings for approximately $4.4 billion in an all-stock transaction aimed at for and programs, but the deal faced regulatory scrutiny over potential risks to in hypersonic and solid rocket motor markets. The U.S. Department of Defense expressed concerns about reduced supplier diversity, and the challenged the merger in January 2022, leading to terminate the agreement on February 13, 2022, without penalty. Following the failed Lockheed bid, Technologies Inc. announced in December 2022 an all-cash acquisition of Aerojet Rocketdyne for $58 per share, valuing the deal at $4.7 billion including net debt, to expand capabilities in and . The transaction cleared regulatory hurdles without FTC opposition, reflecting assessments that it would not substantially lessen competition, and closed on July 28, 2023, integrating Aerojet Rocketdyne as a wholly owned under ' Aerojet Rocketdyne segment. Post-acquisition, increased investments in Aerojet Rocketdyne's facilities by 40% year-over-year as of 2024, focusing on manufacturing modernization for solid rocket motors and hypersonic systems.

Products and Technologies

Launch Vehicle Engines

Aerojet Rocketdyne develops and produces liquid-propellant rocket engines critical for U.S. launch vehicles, emphasizing high-thrust hydrogen-oxygen cycles for core and upper stages. These engines power vehicles from NASA's to commercial rockets like United Launch Alliance's and . The , evolved from the Main Engine, serves as the core stage propulsion for SLS, with four engines delivering over 2 million pounds of thrust combined during ascent. Each employs a staged-combustion cycle using and , achieving exceeding 450 seconds in vacuum. contracted Aerojet Rocketdyne in May 2020 for 18 additional engines to support missions, targeting cost reductions through modern manufacturing. Hot-fire tests of new-production units occurred as recently as June 2025 at . The family powers upper stages across multiple launch systems, including for and Vulcan, as well as SLS's Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage. First operational in 1963, the generates about 24,750 pounds of via an expansible for vacuum optimization. Variants like the RL10C-1-1A support Vulcan's debut, while the RL10E-1 incorporates 3D-printed chambers with 98% fewer parts for enhanced reliability and reduced costs; deliveries began in November 2024. Over 500 engines have flown, accumulating decades of heritage in precise orbital insertions. The RS-68A propelled first stages, producing 705,000 pounds of thrust in a prioritizing affordability over peak efficiency. Designed for and oxygen, it supported 28 missions before final in April 2021, aligning with Delta IV's phase-out. This engine's simpler architecture enabled lower production costs compared to staged-combustion alternatives.

Solid Rocket Motors and Missile Propulsion

Aerojet Rocketdyne produces solid rocket motors (SRMs) featuring lightweight graphite composite cases, advanced nozzles, and high-energy, long-life propellants customized for specific missions, enabling reliable propulsion for tactical missiles, strategic systems, air defense, and missile defense applications. These motors support a range of defense programs, including hypersonic systems, and have powered historical intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) such as Minuteman I and variants A1 through A3. In strategic missile propulsion, Aerojet Rocketdyne supplies the SR-19 as the second stage for the Minuteman III ICBM, with the redesigned eSR-19 variant incorporating a lighter filament-wound composite case and enhanced performance; a qualification static fire test of the eSR-19 at Edwards Air Force Base in June 2023 validated its capabilities for powering both stages of the Missile Defense Agency's next-generation Medium Range Ballistic Missile (MRBM) target vehicle. The company also provides propulsion for the LGM-35A Sentinel ICBM program. For and tactical systems, Aerojet Rocketdyne delivers solid rocket boost motors for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, reaching the 1,000th unit delivery in June 2024 ahead of schedule, alongside Divert and Attitude Control Systems; advanced SRM technology propels the PAC-3 MSE interceptor, while motors support the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS). Additional tactical applications include anti-tank missiles under a five-year contract extension valued up to $292 million and air defense missiles. Recent advancements include successful testing of the eSR-73 large SRM and 1/2 low-cost solid rocket motors in a November 2024 , demonstrating versatility for various targets; Aerojet Rocketdyne was selected in May 2024 as propulsion provider for the Agency's Next Generation Interceptor (NGI). To address demands, the U.S. Department of Defense awarded a $215.6 million cooperative agreement in April 2023 to expand SRM production facilities in ; ; and , incorporating modernization and digital tools for higher output.

In-Space Propulsion Systems

Aerojet Rocketdyne produces monopropellant chemical thrusters using hydrazine for in-space attitude control and maneuvering, with thrust levels ranging from 0.02 to 700 pounds-force and over 19,000 units delivered across satellite and planetary missions. The MR-103 series, delivering 1 N (0.2 lbf) thrust, features a specific impulse of 202 to 224 seconds, steady-state thrust of 0.19 to 1.13 N, and a total mass of 0.33 kg, with more than 1,500 flight units produced over four decades for applications including small satellite propulsion. These systems have supported missions such as NASA's Curiosity and Perseverance rover sky cranes for precise landing maneuvers. Bipropellant thrusters from Aerojet Rocketdyne employ (MMH) and nitrogen tetroxide (NTO), providing from 2.5 to 40,000 pounds-force for orbit raising, major velocity adjustments, and crewed vehicle operations. The , at 100 pounds-force , has achieved a 100% success rate in over 390 apogee-insertion missions, including legacy roles in Apollo Service Modules and orbital maneuvering subsystems. Current applications include the Orion and Starliner spacecraft for in-space maneuvering. Additionally, the company has advanced green monopropellant technology with AF-M315E, offering 50% greater density-specific impulse than ; the GR-1 (1 N) and GR-22 (22 N) thrusters powered the 2019 Green Propellant Infusion Mission (GPIM) satellite, demonstrating reduced toxicity and higher efficiency in orbit adjustments. In electric propulsion, Aerojet Rocketdyne's solar electric systems, primarily thrusters, enable efficient station-keeping and trajectory transfers for satellites and deep-space vehicles. The (AEPS), a 12 kW Hall thruster developed with , powers the Lunar Gateway's with three units, each more than twice as capable as prior 4.5 kW systems; qualification testing began in July 2023 at , encompassing vibration, thermal, and 23,000-hour wear simulations to support a 15-year mission lifespan. Other offerings include the flight-proven XR-5 Hall subsystem for commercial satellites like AEHF and GEOStar-3, the 7 kW NEXT-C used on NASA's 2022 DART mission, and the high-power XR-100 nested Hall system tested to 100 kW under NASA's NextSTEP program for potential cargo transfer applications. Arcjet variants like the MR-510 have flown on over 55 spacecraft for electrothermal augmentation of performance.

Developmental and Emerging Technologies

Aerojet Rocketdyne has prioritized research and development in hypersonic propulsion systems, leveraging scramjet engines and solid rocket boosters for high-speed applications. In April 2022, an advanced scramjet engine produced by the company powered the successful flight test of the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's (DARPA) Hypersonic Air-breathing Weapon Concept (HAWC), demonstrating sustained operation at Mach 5+ velocities. Subsequent ground tests of an 18-foot scramjet achieved thrust exceeding 13,000 pounds, marking record performance levels over a 12-month evaluation period. In June 2021, Aerojet Rocketdyne conducted a full-scale static test of a solid rocket motor for DARPA's ground-launched hypersonic system, validating boost-phase capabilities for rapid acceleration to hypersonic speeds. Additive manufacturing advancements are central to the company's hypersonic efforts, enabling and reduced production timelines. In May 2024, the U.S. Department of Defense awarded Aerojet Rocketdyne a to develop a "Powder-in, Engine-out™" hypersonic using , with delivery anticipated within 36 months to streamline from raw materials to functional engines. This approach builds on prior collaborations, such as a December 2020 test series with the (AFRL) that achieved hypersonic flow milestones in a dual-mode / configuration. Additionally, in May 2022, the company secured selection from to supply boosters for hypersonic missile programs, integrating these technologies into operational weapon systems. In , Aerojet Rocketdyne is developing engine systems for both nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) and nuclear electric propulsion (NEP) to enable deep-space missions, including human . These efforts focus on high-efficiency, fission-based systems that provide greater than chemical rockets, reducing transit times and propellant mass. Company engineers have emphasized NTP's potential for faster Mars round trips, with ongoing work aligned to and Department of Defense requirements for reliable, high-thrust nuclear engines. Emerging in-space propulsion technologies include advanced electric systems, such as Hall-effect thrusters and variants, designed for sustainable maneuvering and lunar operations. Rocketdyne's advanced electric propulsion supports extended mission durations with lower mass penalties compared to traditional chemical systems, incorporating additive for cost-effective production. These developments complement chemical in-space options like the AF-M315E monopropellant, which offers higher performance density for small s and has undergone on-orbit demonstrations.

Contributions to Major Programs

Space Exploration and NASA Missions

Aerojet Rocketdyne's involvement in NASA's stemmed from its predecessors' development of critical propulsion systems. Rocketdyne's F-1 engines powered the S-IC first stage of the launch vehicle, with five engines per rocket delivering approximately 7.5 million pounds of thrust to enable the landings between 1969 and 1972. Aerojet's AJ10-137 engine served as the service propulsion system for the Apollo Service Module, providing 20,000 pounds of thrust for orbital maneuvers and trans-Earth injection burns on all crewed missions. Additionally, Aerojet's thrusters handled reaction control for precise attitude adjustments throughout the missions. The company's engines played a central role in the from 1981 to 2011. Rocketdyne's engines, known as Space Shuttle Main Engines, powered every one of the 135 shuttle missions, throttling between 65% and 109% of rated power while burning and oxygen to produce over 418,000 pounds of thrust each at liftoff. These reusable engines underwent extensive refurbishment between flights, contributing to the program's operational reliability. provided hypergolic thrusters for the and , enabling on-orbit adjustments and reentry targeting. In contemporary NASA efforts, Aerojet Rocketdyne supplies propulsion for the Artemis program and deep-space exploration. The RS-25 engines, upgraded for higher performance, power the core stage of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, as demonstrated in the uncrewed Artemis I launch on November 16, 2022, where four engines fired for over eight minutes. The RL10 engine propels the Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage atop SLS Block 1 vehicles, with deliveries completed for early Artemis missions to provide upper-stage velocity increments for lunar trajectories. For the Orion spacecraft, Aerojet Rocketdyne furnishes the AJ10-based engines for the European Service Module, supporting propulsion needs on Artemis II and subsequent crewed flights. The RL10 has also powered upper stages in planetary missions, including NASA's MAVEN orbiter to Mars launched in 2013.
EngineProgram/MissionRoleKey Specifications
F-1Apollo ()First stage1.5 million lbf thrust per engine; 5 per vehicle
AJ10-137Apollo Service ModuleMain propulsion20,000 lbf thrust; Isp 314.5 s
RS-25, SLS/ArtemisMain engines418,000 lbf thrust at sea level; reusable design
RL10SLS ICPS, planetary probesUpper stage24,750 lbf vacuum thrust; restartable

Defense and Missile Defense Systems

Aerojet Rocketdyne provides propulsion systems, including solid rocket motors and divert and attitude control systems, for key U.S. programs, enabling intercepts of ballistic and other threats. These components support systems deployed by the U.S. (MDA) and allied forces, with the company having delivered propulsion for multiple generations of interceptors. In the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, Aerojet Rocketdyne supplies the solid rocket boost motor and Liquid Divert and Attitude Control System (DACS), which provide initial boost and precise maneuvering for exo-atmospheric intercepts. The company achieved a milestone in June 2024 by delivering its 1,000th set of these components ahead of schedule, supporting THAAD's role as the only U.S. system capable of intercepting targets both inside and outside the atmosphere. , the THAAD prime contractor, has contracted Aerojet Rocketdyne for additional production to meet growing demand from the MDA and international partners. For the , Aerojet Rocketdyne's Mk 72 booster and Mk 104 dual-thrust rocket motor deliver first- and second-stage propulsion for -3 (SM-3) variants, while the Throttling Divert and Attitude Control System (TDACS) enables mid-course corrections. These have powered successful intercepts, including the third test of the SM-3 Block IIA in 2017. The company has supported programs for over three decades, including a $1 billion strategic sourcing agreement with in 2019 to enhance production of propulsion for variants like SM-6. Aerojet Rocketdyne also contributes to the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missile Segment Enhancement, providing hit-to-kill vehicle propulsion for terminal-phase ballistic . In emerging programs, selected the company in May 2024 as the propulsion provider for the Next Generation Interceptor (NGI), designed to counter advanced long-range ballistic threats with improved boost and post-boost systems. To support these efforts, Aerojet Rocketdyne opened an advanced facility in September 2025 dedicated to rocket propulsion for missile defense, funded partly by U.S. Department of Defense investments exceeding $215 million for solid rocket motor expansion.

Tactical Weapons and Hypersonic Applications

Aerojet Rocketdyne supplies solid rocket motors (SRMs) and attitude control motors (ACMs) for multiple tactical missile systems, enabling precision guidance and extended range in scenarios. For the PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE), the company produces 180 ACMs per missile, which explosively fire to refine trajectory and ensure intercept accuracy; by March 2023, Aerojet Rocketdyne had delivered the 830,000th such motor, supporting a 40% production increase to meet demand. In the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS), its SRMs provide propulsion for high-volume fire missions from HIMARS and MLRS launchers, contributing to hypersonic and extended-range variants under development. For the U.S. Army's Low Cost Tactical Extended Range Missile (LC-TERM) program, Aerojet Rocketdyne tested an advanced SRM in February 2022, demonstrating enhanced performance for cost-effective tactical strikes. The company also supports longer-range tactical fires through partnerships, such as developing propulsion for Lockheed Martin's Long Range Maneuverable Fires (LRMF) missile, announced in June 2023, which aims to provide maneuverable hypersonic capabilities for ground forces. In naval applications, Aerojet Rocketdyne's motors power Raytheon's family, including a $1 billion, five-year signed in March 2020 for propulsion systems used in air and . Overall, Aerojet Rocketdyne has delivered nearly two million tactical motors and warheads to U.S. forces and allies, emphasizing lightweight composite cases, high-energy propellants, and scalable designs for rapid deployment. In hypersonic applications, Aerojet Rocketdyne focuses on scramjet engines and boost-phase SRMs to achieve sustained Mach 5+ speeds. Its advanced scramjet powered the U.S. Air Force's Hypersonic Air-breathing Weapon Concept (HAWC) during a successful flight test on April 8, 2022, validating air-breathing propulsion for cruise missiles. In December 2020, collaboration with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) yielded record-breaking hypersonic engine tests, achieving the highest thrust levels and demonstrating scalability for operational systems. For boost-glide systems, the company provides SRMs for DARPA's Operational Fires (OpFires) program, incorporating innovative throttleable designs tested as of June 2021. Recent advancements include a May 2024 Department of Defense contract to prototype hypersonic propulsion via additive manufacturing, using "Powder-in, Engine-out™" techniques to streamline production of complex components. Aerojet Rocketdyne's SRMs also support the Army's and hypersonic strike initiatives, with a May 2024 effort to accelerate SRM production for these platforms. In June 2023, it hot-fired the eSR-19 SRM for the Agency's next-generation target, qualifying it for hypersonic threat simulation. These efforts position Aerojet Rocketdyne as a key enabler of maneuverable hypersonic weapons, prioritizing empirical thrust validation and manufacturing scalability over unproven concepts.

Controversies and Criticisms

Corporate Governance Disputes

In early 2022, Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc. faced a protracted dispute triggered by the collapse of its $4.4 billion proposed acquisition by Corporation, which U.S. antitrust regulators blocked on January 18, 2022. Executive Chairman , through his firm Steel Partners Holdings L.P. (which held approximately 9% of shares), launched a proxy contest to replace the board, nominating a slate including himself and allies Martin Turchin, James Henderson, and Audrey McNiff. Lichtenstein criticized CEO Eileen Drake for pursuing the Lockheed deal despite regulatory risks and accused management of fostering a litigious environment that burdened shareholders. The board became deadlocked in a 4-4 split between Drake-aligned directors and the Lichtenstein faction, prompting mutual allegations of breaches and misuse of corporate resources. Drake's side countersued, claiming Lichtenstein orchestrated a "boardroom coup" to seize control post-deal failure, while a company investigation into Lichtenstein alleged he violated duties by advancing personal interests. On May 16, 2022, a non-management committee report, highlighted by Lichtenstein, detailed findings of executive misconduct under Drake, including improper handling of board processes. Litigation escalated in the , where on June 6, 2022, Vice Chancellor Lori Will granted a preliminary enforcing corporate neutrality, ruling that neither board faction could issue statements, retain counsel, or expend company funds in the due to the deadlock's impairment of collective decision-making. Ten days later, on June 16, 2022, the court found Drake had violated this order by using corporate resources for anti-Lichtenstein communications and proxy solicitations, ordering corrective disclosures via and SEC Form 8-K, though declining to hold her in . The dispute resolved at a special on June 30, 2022, where Drake's eight-person slate prevailed with about 75% of votes, electing all directors and ousting the dissidents, including Lichtenstein. This outcome preserved management continuity amid Aerojet's history of ; Steel Partners had previously pressured parent company GenCorp (Aerojet's predecessor structure) since 2014 for asset sales and strategic shifts to enhance value, underscoring persistent governance tensions over operational strategy and deal-making. In 2022, Aerojet Rocketdyne agreed to pay $9 million to settle False Claims Act allegations that it knowingly misrepresented its compliance with cybersecurity requirements in contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense and other federal agencies. The claims arose from a 2017 lawsuit filed by whistleblower Brian Markus, who alleged the company failed to implement adequate safeguards under Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) clause 252.204-7012 and NIST Special Publication 800-171, despite otherwise in billing for contracts involving sensitive unclassified information. The Department of Justice intervened after partial in Aerojet's favor on implied certification theory, with the settlement resolving remaining express certification claims without admission of liability; Markus received approximately $2.61 million as relator's share. Aerojet Rocketdyne's historical operations at facilities in , resulted in extensive groundwater contamination with and other rocket fuel byproducts, leading to the site's designation as a location by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1983. In 2011, the EPA issued an administrative order requiring Aerojet to perform a $60 million cleanup of polluted plumes affecting surrounding areas. Similar environmental liabilities persist at other sites, including and former Rocketdyne properties in Canoga Park, where and volatile organic compounds have migrated into soil and , prompting ongoing regulatory oversight and remediation under the (RCRA) and state authorities. These issues stem from decades of manufacturing without sufficient containment, though Aerojet has not admitted fault in associated enforcement actions. In 2021, Aerojet Rocketdyne settled a U.S. Department of Justice claim alleging violations of the Immigration and Nationality Act's anti-discrimination provisions by restricting 12 mechanic positions to U.S. citizens only, excluding a qualified lawful permanent resident applicant. The DOJ determined the roles did not involve access to export-controlled technical data under the (ITAR), rendering the citizenship preference unlawful; the settlement required training, policy changes, and compensation to the charging party without admitting liability. This case highlights tensions between compliance and fair hiring practices in the defense sector.

Acquisition Battles and Antitrust Concerns

In December 2020, Corporation announced a $4.4 billion agreement to acquire Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings Inc., aiming to integrate its propulsion capabilities vertically into Lockheed's missile and space systems production. The deal faced intense scrutiny from antitrust regulators due to Aerojet Rocketdyne's role as the primary U.S. supplier of solid rocket motors for hypersonic and programs, supplying key components to Lockheed's competitors such as Technologies and . On January 25, 2022, the (FTC) filed a lawsuit to block the merger, alleging it would enable Lockheed to foreclose rivals from essential propulsion inputs, citing of Lockheed's prior efforts to Aerojet Rocketdyne into exclusive dealings that limited competition. The complaint highlighted vertical merger risks in the concentrated defense sector, where Aerojet Rocketdyne held dominant market shares in solid rocket motors (over 90% for certain applications) and hypersonic propulsion. Lockheed defended the transaction as pro-competitive, arguing it would enhance without harming rivals, but terminated the agreement on February 13, 2022, after concluding regulatory approval was unlikely. Following the Lockheed failure, L3Harris Technologies Inc. emerged as a bidder, announcing on December 18, 2022, a $4.7 billion cash acquisition of Aerojet Rocketdyne at $58 per share, a premium over prior offers. Antitrust concerns persisted, with critics including Senator Elizabeth Warren urging the FTC to block it, arguing the deal would consolidate control over critical propulsion among fewer primes, echoing risks in prior mergers like Northrop Grumman's 2018 acquisition of Orbital ATK. Advocacy groups like Economic Liberties labeled it anticompetitive, warning of reduced incentives for innovation in a market already lacking independent suppliers. L3Harris countered that its focus on sensors and avionics created complementary synergies without the vertical foreclosure risks of Lockheed's bid, potentially bolstering Aerojet's underfunded R&D. The FTC extended its review with a second in March 2023 but ultimately cleared the transaction in July 2023 without conditions, notifying it would not pursue a challenge. The approval drew criticism for inconsistency, as it permitted another major contractor to absorb the last standalone U.S. specialist amid rising defense demands, potentially exacerbating supplier concentration despite the agency's prior stance on vertical risks. The deal closed shortly thereafter, integrating Aerojet Rocketdyne as a focused on independence within .

Current Operations and Future Outlook

Integration with L3Harris Technologies

L3Harris Technologies agreed to acquire Aerojet Rocketdyne on December 18, 2022, in an all-cash transaction valued at $4.7 billion, inclusive of net debt, at $58 per share. The deal aimed to enhance 's position in propulsion systems for defense and applications by integrating Aerojet Rocketdyne as a standalone fourth business segment. Regulatory approvals proceeded without significant antitrust obstacles, unlike prior bids from larger primes, due to limited business overlap and L3Harris's smaller scale relative to competitors. The acquisition closed on July 28, 2023, marking the end of Aerojet Rocketdyne's independence as the last standalone U.S. provider of liquid and solid rocket propulsion. Post-acquisition integration focused on operational stabilization and capacity expansion, with L3Harris increasing internal investments in Aerojet Rocketdyne by 40% year-over-year as of July 2024. This included allocating over $25 million to sub-tier suppliers and qualifying additional vendors to bolster the solid rocket motor supply chain, alongside leveraging government funding for facility modernizations supporting missile programs. Production enhancements yielded record delivery months for five key programs, halved late delivery rates, and enabled ahead-of-schedule completions for items like the 1,000th THAAD solid rocket boost motor and divert system. Contributions extended to missile defense tests, Vulcan Centaur and Boeing Starliner launches, and certification of RS-25 engines for NASA's Artemis missions. Despite these advances, integration faced heightened risks from Aerojet Rocketdyne's pre-existing operational constraints and bottlenecks, which persisted into late 2023 and contributed to ongoing challenges in solid rocket motor production. Aerojet Rocketdyne had encountered delivery shortfalls prior to the merger, exacerbated by a 2022 internal board dispute, and industry observers noted that scaling output for surging demand remained difficult even under management. committed to long-term investments in modernization to address these issues, emphasizing resource sharing for priorities like hypersonics and the Next Generation Interceptor. By mid-2024, backlog reductions and improved customer satisfaction indicated progress, though full resilience depended on sustained capital inflows and supplier qualifications.

Recent Contracts and Facility Expansions

In May 2024, , operating as a of Technologies, received a $22 million Other Transaction Agreement from the U.S. Department of Defense to demonstrate a "Powder-in, Engine-out" additive manufacturing process for hypersonic systems, aiming to streamline production by directly fabricating engines from metal powders. In September 2025, secured a multi-year valued at up to $292 million for rocket motor production supporting the anti-tank system, enhancing capabilities for this joint U.S. and Marine Corps program. Additionally, in late 2024, a $10 million modification expanded 's involvement in a program, increasing the total value to approximately $1.23 billion to cover calendar year 2025 activities, including system development and integration. Facility expansions have focused on scaling solid rocket motor production to meet defense demands. In May 2024, Aerojet Rocketdyne leased a 379,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Huntsville, Alabama's Jetplex Industrial Park to boost solid rocket motor output, supporting programs like hypersonics and missile defense amid growing U.S. munitions needs. Concurrently, a $41.2 million expansion and modernization of its Orange County, Virginia facility was announced, adding capacity for Javelin and Stinger missile motors by transferring production from Arkansas and creating up to 60 new jobs. In February 2025, L3Harris broke ground on four new "Factories of the Future" solid rocket motor facilities in Camden, Arkansas, including a 60,000-square-foot site, to accelerate production rates and centralize manufacturing for defense applications. These initiatives reflect post-acquisition investments to address supply chain constraints and increase output for tactical and strategic systems.

Strategic Role in National Security and Space

Aerojet Rocketdyne, now a subsidiary of L3Harris Technologies following its 2023 acquisition, serves as a cornerstone provider of propulsion systems essential to United States national security and space dominance. Its solid rocket motors and liquid propulsion technologies underpin key strategic deterrents, missile defense interceptors, and space launch vehicles, addressing vulnerabilities in the defense industrial base where domestic capacity has atrophied. The company's near-monopoly on high-performance rocket engines for intercontinental ballistic missiles and advanced interceptors positions it as indispensable for maintaining nuclear deterrence and countering ballistic missile threats from adversaries like China and Russia. In applications, Aerojet Rocketdyne supplies post-boost propulsion and large solid rocket motors for the U.S. Air Force's Next Generation Interceptor (NGI) program, selected by in May 2024 to counter long-range ballistic missiles. Its divert and attitude control systems (DACS) enable precision maneuvers in , powering systems like the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) booster—delivering the 1,000th unit ahead of schedule—and the Standard Missile-3 Block IIA's kinetic warhead for exo-atmospheric intercepts. These contributions extend to strategic missiles such as the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent and tactical weapons, where Aerojet Rocketdyne's innovations in solid rocket motor scalability support multi-domain operations against hypersonic and peer threats. To mitigate supply chain risks, initiated construction of advanced "factories of the future" for solid rocket motors in and in 2025, aiming to surge production capacity for DoD priorities. For space exploration, Aerojet Rocketdyne's engines, derived from heritage, power NASA's (SLS) core stage, with contracts for 18 additional units awarded in 2020 to support missions returning humans to the Moon. The company also provides the Orion spacecraft's ascent abort motor and auxiliary thrusters, critical for crew safety during launch escapes and orbital maneuvers, as demonstrated in the successful Artemis I uncrewed test flight in 2022. These systems have enabled launches of national security payloads on vehicles like and contributed to missions such as NASA's Mars orbiter in 2013, underscoring Aerojet Rocketdyne's role in sustaining U.S. leadership in cislunar space amid competition from programs like China's. The integration of Aerojet Rocketdyne's capabilities into has amplified its strategic value by combining expertise with broader defense electronics and sensors, enabling resilient architectures for space-based warning and layered defenses. This synergy addresses empirical gaps in surge capacity, as evidenced by DoD initiatives to bolster solid rocket motor production since 2023, ensuring reliability against supply disruptions that could undermine deterrence. However, reliance on a limited number of suppliers like Aerojet Rocketdyne highlights ongoing risks in the defense base, prompting expansions to distribute manufacturing and reduce single-point failures.

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