Aerojet, a GenCorp company, announced that its propulsion systems supported the Feb. 13 successful intercept test of Raytheon’s Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IA guided missile off the coast of Hawaii.
During the intercept test, Aerojet’s MK 72 booster and MK 104 dual-thrust rocket motor provided first- and second-stage propulsion for the SM-3 Block IA guided missile. The test was conducted at the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kauai.
The successful intercept advances U.S. missile defense capabilities and highlights Aerojet’s leading role in providing reliable, affordable propulsion technologies. “Aerojet’s propulsion systems have performed successfully on every SM-3 flight and intercept test to date,” said Aerojet’s Vice President of Tactical Programs John Myers. “This test further demonstrates the reliability of our tactical missile product line.”
The SM-3, capable of being based on land or at sea, is a key component of the President’s Phased Adaptive Approach, which focuses on protecting the U.S. homeland from first generation Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) as well as U.S. assets and allies in Europe from regional threats.
