New Defense Department Contract to Expand Domestic Rocket Motor Manufacturing

April 26, 2023

A new Aerojet Rocketdyne facility in Camden, Arkansas is consolidating solid rocket motor manufacturing for the company's ongoing manufacturing modernization efforts. (Image: Aerojet Rocketdyne)

The Department of Defense's (DoD) Office of Manufacturing Capability Expansion and Investment Prioritization (MCEIP) has entered into a $215.6 million agreement with Aerojet Rocketdyne (AR) to expand and modernize AR's facilities in Camden, Arkansas; Huntsville, Alabama; and Orange County, Virginia, where the company manufactures complex rocket propulsion systems.

These systems propel DoD missiles and missile defense interceptors, along with space launch vehicles and national security satellites used in civil and commercial applications. The funds will modernize manufacturing processes at the company's facilities, consolidate production lines, purchase equipment, build systems to process data, and increase production and delivery speed for Javelins, Stingers, and the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS).

This effort was funded by the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act. The U.S. has provided Javelins, Stingers, and GMLRS rockets to the Ukrainian government, and the modernization of AR facilities will benefit DoD as it replenishes its ammunition supplies.

"The Office of Manufacturing Capability Expansion and Investment Prioritization is moving forward with appropriate urgency to support strategic industrial sectors crucial to protecting national security. This critical investment will modernize rocket propellant and motor production in the United States, in addition to creating technical and skilled labor jobs at multiple domestic facilities," said Dr. Kathleen Hicks, Deputy Secretary of Defense.

Under the new MCEIP agreement, Aerojet Rocketdyne will build additional modernized facilities, purchase advanced equipment, and automate manufacturing processes to support increased production demand primarily focused on Javelin, Stinger and the GMLRS. The contract follows other recent modernization efforts by the company including a new 51,000 square foot facility in Arkansas to increase production factory. Additional investments include leasing a leasing an even larger facility in Huntsville, Alabama to produce inert components to support solid rocket motors for a range of defense programs.

“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,” said Eileen P. Drake, Aerojet Rocketdyne’s CEO.

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