Aerojet Rocketdyne, a subsidiary of Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AJRD), recently delivered the 300th booster motor and Divert and Attitude Control System (DACS) for the Missile Defense Agency’s Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system.
THAAD is a highly effective, land-based element of the Ballistic Missile Defense System that provides the critical capability needed to protect America’s military, allied forces, critical infrastructure and citizens from short- and medium-range ballistic missile attacks.
“Aerojet Rocketdyne has worked with our prime customer Lockheed Martin to establish the capacity to produce the rate necessary to meet the growing demand for the THAAD missile,” said Eileen Drake, CEO and president for Aerojet Rocketdyne. “Our joint focus has been on improving producibility to meet affordability goals. The men and women of Aerojet Rocketdyne have shown extraordinary commitment and ingenuity in producing the 300 units. It is a great milestone.”
THAAD consists of five major components: launchers, interceptors, radar, THAAD fire control and communication units, and THAAD-specific support equipment. Through prime contractor Lockheed Martin, Aerojet Rocketdyne supplies both the booster motor technology that powers the THAAD interceptor as well as the DACS – a high-precision, quick-reaction propulsion system that positions the interceptor to successfully defeat an incoming ballistic missile.
Since the start of production for the THAAD weapon, there have been 16 flight tests with 100 percent success. Two of the intercept tests occurred in 2015.
Aerojet Rocketdyne is an innovative company delivering solutions that create value for its customers in the aerospace and defense markets. The company is a world-recognized aerospace and defense leader that provides propulsion and energetics to the space, missile defense and strategic systems, tactical systems and armaments areas, in support of domestic and international markets. Additional information about Aerojet Rocketdyne can be obtained by visiting our websites at www.Rocket.com and www.AerojetRocketdyne.com.