Missile Target Systems

Overview

L3Harris’ Coleman Aerospace subsidiary is an innovative systems engineering and integration provider that designs and produces sophisticated air-launched and ground-launched target missiles that serve as high-fidelity representations of global missile defense threats. The company offers a wide range of suborbital launch vehicles, payloads, and launch services.

Our Role

Coleman Aerospace designs, builds and integrates air-launched target missiles and then launches them from cargo aircraft positioned anywhere in the world. This allows launch from any azimuth or orbit inclination in order to provide realistic threat scenarios to rigorously test U.S. missile defense technologies.

Key Programs

MRBM

The Medium Range Ballistic Missile (MRBM) target is a two-stage launch vehicle powered by newly developed L3Harris eSR-19 large solid rocket motors. First launched in 2019, this modern target vehicle’s advanced capabilities allow the Missile Defense Agency to continually assess the performance of missile defense systems such as the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD).

Advanced Programs

Coleman Aerospace is leveraging its expertise in propulsion and launch vehicle development to advance several cutting-edge initiatives. These include hypersonic targets and counter unmanned aircraft system solutions featuring maneuverable air-breathing supersonic propulsion.

About Coleman Aerospace

Coleman Aerospace has a strong legacy of developing advanced targets that has paved the way for their latest innovations. Their experience traces back to the HERA ground-launched target, fielded in 1995 for the U.S. Army to test THAAD and Patriot PAC-3 missile defense systems. The company went on to produce a series of target vehicles, culminating in the Extended Long Range Air Launch Target (E-LRALT), which completed its first mission in 2012. The E-LRALT was a three-stage launch vehicle that featured two SR-19 solid rocket motors, an Orbus 1A motor, and a reentry vehicle. Building on these proven technologies, Coleman Aerospace has developed even more advanced products to meet the evolving demands of missile defense testing.

The majority of parts and systems used to build target vehicles are assembled in-house at the company's manufacturing facility. Some key capabilities include:

Precision assembly of large missile structures
Telemetry and avionics systems
Networks and integration
Hot gas and cold gas control systems
Thrust vector control systems
Flight termination systems
Advanced vehicle guidance systems
Environmental stress screening
Acceptance & qualification testing

Media Gallery

A Standard Missile-3 Block IIA intercepted an air-launched Medium Range Ballistic Missile target off the coast of Andersen Air Force Base, Guam as part of Flight Experiment Mission-02. The Missile Defense Agency, in cooperation with U.S. Department of Defense partners, successfully conducted FEM-02. (Credit: MDA)

A Medium Range Ballistic Missile target with countermeasures is air launched from a C-17 aircraft off the coast of the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Hawaii, during Flight Test Other-23, or FTX-23, February 8, 2024. (courtesy photo/released)

A Medium Range Ballistic Missile target was air launched from a C-17 aircraft. MRBM Type 1 and Type 2 targets are designed, manufactured and launched by Aerojet Rocketdyne’s Coleman site. (Photo credit: Missile Defense Agency)

A Medium Range Ballistic Missile with a Hypersonic Target Vehicle (HTV) - 1 front end is air launched from a C-17 aircraft off the coast of the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Hawaii, during Flight Test Other-40, or FTX-40. Photo Credit: MDA.

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Pinckney (DDG 91) transits the Pacific Ocean. Pinckney participated in Flight Test Other-40, demonstrating the ability to detect, track and perform a simulated engagement of an advanced maneuvering hypersonic target using the Sea Based Terminal Increment 3 capability embedded in the latest Aegis software baseline. Photo Credit: MDA.

A Standard Missile-3 Block IIA intercepted an air-launched Medium Range Ballistic Missile target off the coast of Andersen Air Force Base, Guam as part of Flight Experiment Mission-02. The Missile Defense Agency, in cooperation with U.S. Department of Defense partners, successfully conducted FEM-02. (Credit: MDA)

A Medium Range Ballistic Missile target was air launched from a C-17 aircraft. MRBM Type 1 and Type 2 targets are designed, manufactured and launched by L3Harris' Coleman site. (Photo credit: Missile Defense Agency)

A Medium Range Ballistic Missile with a Hypersonic Target Vehicle (HTV) - 1 front end is air launched from a C-17 aircraft off the coast of the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Hawaii, during Flight Test Other-40, or FTX-40. Photo Credit: MDA.

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Pinckney (DDG 91) transits the Pacific Ocean. Pinckney participated in Flight Test Other-40, demonstrating the ability to detect, track and perform a simulated engagement of an advanced maneuvering hypersonic target using the Sea Based Terminal Increment 3 capability embedded in the latest Aegis software baseline. Photo Credit: MDA.