SACRAMENTO, Calif., Oct. 4, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aerojet Rocketdyne, a GenCorp (NYSE: GY ) company, announced today that its propulsion systems successfully contributed to an intercept of a ballistic missile target with the second generation Aegis BMD Weapon System and SM-3 Block IB guided missile.
During Flight Test Standard Missile-22 (FTM-22), the SM-3 guided missile intercepted and destroyed a separating ballistic missile target during this second operational test event. Findings of these two operational tests, FTMs-21 and 22, will support follow-on production decisions for the SM-3 Block IB guided missile.
Aerojet Rocketdyne's MK 72 booster and MK 104 dual-thrust rocket motor provided the first- and second-stage propulsion, while its Throttling Divert and Attitude Control System (TDACS) maneuvered the Kinetic Warhead to impact the target.
This flight test included the highest altitude intercept conducted to date for the Aegis BMD Program.
The SM-3 Block IB guided missiles will be deployed on Aegis BMD cruisers and destroyers, and also on land sites as part of the Aegis Ashore program to defend against short-to-intermediate range ballistic missile threats in the mid-course phase of flight. Raytheon is the prime contractor for SM‑3 development.
"This is the fifth successful flight test of the SM-3 IB TDACS. The success achieved in flight testing validates the selection by Raytheon of the more capable TDACS for the evolution of the SM-3 missile defense capability. It is satisfying to see the product maturing and the cost coming down. We are completing the difficult design and development phase and have in place all the necessary capability to move into full rate production," said Charlie Meraz, SM-3 Block IB TDACS production program director.
In concert with Raytheon, Aerojet Rocketdyne is developing the third generation of sea- and land-based U.S. missile defense capabilities by providing reliable, low-risk propulsion technologies. In addition to the current production of MK 72 and MK 104 rocket motors and the SM-3 Block IB TDACS, the company is developing the TDACS for SM-3 Block IIA, the planned missile variant upgrade to the current SM-3 Blocks IA and IB guided missiles.
Aerojet Rocketdyne is a world-recognized aerospace and defense leader providing propulsion and energetics to the space, missile defense and strategic systems, tactical systems and armaments areas, in support of domestic and international markets. GenCorp is a diversified company that provides innovative solutions that create value for its customers in the aerospace and defense, energy and real estate markets. Additional information about Aerojet Rocketdyne and GenCorp can be obtained by visiting the companies' websites at www.Rocket.com and www.GenCorp.com .
Glenn Mahone, Aerojet Rocketdyne, 202.302.9941 Kristin Conner, Aerojet Rocketdyne, 916.355.2143
