Solid Rocket Motors

An Innovation Imperative: Advancing the Next Generation of Solid Rocket Motors

Scott Alexander, President of Missile Solutions, Aerojet Rocketdyne, ̽��Ƶ, writes in Breaking Defense: ̽��Ƶ is building the factories of the future that will ensure our nation and our allies maintain the competitive edge.

Proven Propulsion. Fueled by Innovation.

For more than 80 years, ̽��Ƶ has provided reliable, innovative propulsion to protect our warfighters, our nation and allies. As the Trusted Disruptor, we are innovating processes and materials to increase production capacity and weapon range, speed and lethality.

Maximizing Production

We are moving the mission forward by modernizing our facilities to deliver more solid rocket motors faster and more affordably.

We’re building new manufacturing facilities across multiple sites and increasing capacity to support today’s surges and tomorrow’s needs.

Camden, AR – Center of Excellence for Solid Rocket Motors

In 2020, Aerojet Rocketdyne, prior to be acquired by ̽��Ƶ, opened its Engineering, Manufacturing and Development (EMD) facility in Camden, Arkansas. The state-of-the-art EMD facility expanded the company’s decades-long production of solid rocket motors in Camden, where the company currently produces more than 100,000 solid rocket motors a year from those that fit in the palm of your hand to motors the size of a small car. The EMD facility was specifically designed to serve as the developmental gateway for future large solid rocket motor product opportunities like Sentinel, hypersonic boosters, missile defense targets and small launch vehicles.

Huntsville, AL – Center of Excellence for Inert Component Manufacturing

Orange, VA – Center of Excellence for Propellant Research and Development (R&D)

̽��Ƶ Virginia site specializes in the manufacture of small solid rocket motors and gas generators for defense and space systems and features a unique air-breathing test facility. ̽��Ƶ Orange site also conducts research and development activities to improve existing propellants and identify new ones.

Modernizing for the Future

In 2023, Aerojet Rocketdyne, prior to being acquired by ̽��Ƶ, entered into a $215.6 million Cooperative Agreement for a Manufacturing Capability Expansion and Investment Prioritization (MCEIP) to expand and modernize AR’s facilities in Camden, Huntsville and Orange County, Virginia, where the company manufactures complex rocket propulsion systems.

Under the Cooperative Agreement, the company is building additional modernized facilities, purchasing advanced equipment, and automating manufacturing processes to support increased production demand focused on Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS), Javelin, and Stinger missiles.

̽��Ƶ is implementing digital transformation infrastructure and processes that align the company with DoD’s Digital Modernization Strategy to afford the Joint Force a competitive advantage in the modern battlespace.

Evolving Threats Require Proven Propulsion

Aerojet’s Jet-fuel Assisted Take Off technology propelled an overloaded aircraft into the air

The men and women of ̽��Ƶ have produced solid rocket motors for decades, supporting defense systems that have protected our warfighters, our nation and our allies.

̽��Ƶ' legacy producing solid rocket motors began with the Jet Assisted Take Off (JATO) motor, which provided extra boosting power for U.S. military planes during World War II.

During the 1950s and 1960s, ̽��Ƶ pioneered the development of solid- and liquid-fueled propulsion technology for U.S. missile and space programs.

From supporting America’s earliest solid-fueled strategic missiles, including the Minuteman I and Polaris, and providing propulsion for every U.S. Air Force Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) ICBM ever fielded, to powering tactical, air defense and missile defense systems protecting our nation and allies today, ̽��Ƶ has a strong legacy of delivering proven propulsion.

ADVANCING TECHNOLOGY FOR NEXT GENERATION MISSIONS

Aerojet Rocketdyne eSR-73 Motor Test Drone

̽��Ƶ propulsion has powered our nation’s defense for decades, and we are leveraging that expertise to provide innovative, reliable and affordable propulsion to power next generation systems.

̽��Ƶ solid rocket motors incorporate lightweight graphite composite cases, advanced nozzles and high-energy, long-life propellants tailored to your mission.

Innovative Partnerships

Through innovative collaborations, including with NIOA in Australia and the Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division, we’re taking action to maximize solid rocket motor production.

Army soldier on battlefield with network connecting assets

Supporting the Army

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The ̽��Ƶ Difference - Delivering on Aerojet Rocketdyne

Featured News

Press release | 09. 15. 2025

̽��Ƶ Receives Multi-Year Javelin Solid Rocket Motor Contract

̽��Ƶ Technologies has received a contract valued up to $292 million to continue its role producing propulsion for the Javelin weapon system. The award is the largest propulsion production contract received to date for the Javelin program, representing a production extension for five years.