Situated on nearly 2,000 acres, L3Harris' Camden, Arkansas, site plays a critical role in the U.S. defense infrastructure. As the demand for solid rocket motors continues to grow, particularly for programs like Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS), the Javelin Anti-Tank Missile System and the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3), L3Harris is making significant investments to expand its testing capabilities to ensure the highest quality products for its customers.
An industry leader in precision propulsion technology, L3Harris manufactures more than 100,000 rocket motors a year at its site in Camden, ranging from palm-sized motors to units the size of an SUV. Each motor is engineered for a specific mission, delivering unmatched performance, speeds that can break the sound barrier and powering missiles to altitudes that soar from mere hundreds of feet to the edge of space.
These diverse rocket motors share a critical need: rigorous, high-precision testing to ensure flawless operation every time.
The Camden facility hot fire tests more than 6,000 rocket motors per year—with an average of 30 tests per day spread across five test bays. This year, the Camden team has expanded operations to seven days a week, added a sixth test bay dedicated to developmental testing and is currently installing a new configurable test stand—known as a modular fixture—designed to safely secure and evaluate rocket motors. This flexible setup allows engineers to quickly adapt the stand to test different motor types, increasing both efficiency and safety across a wider range of testing scenarios.
In total, L3Harris has committed $4.5 million to expand Camden's rocket motor testing infrastructure and capabilities.
“We’ve installed new data systems that give us real-time, high-quality test results, which means we can spot issues more quickly and make better decisions, faster,” said James Anderson, Director of Manufacturing Engineering.“ These systems also allow us to easily switch between different motor types and scale up testing as demand grows.”
Another advancement has been the addition of a small, classified test bay which allows secure testing of sensitive motors at the same time as regular production. According to Anderson, this setup helps ensure the Camden team meets classified program requirements without impacting other work.
“These enhancements are helping us grow in every direction—more motors and greater complexity,” Anderson said. “We’re constantly raising the bar with systems built to handle the toughest demands.”
That momentum reflects a broader shift across Camden as the site scales up to meet urgent defense needs—balancing innovation, throughput and mission assurance.
“With cutting-edge testing capabilities, we’re not just keeping pace with demand—we’re setting new standards in precision, reliability and efficiency,” said Jim Watson, Sr. Director of the L3Harris Camden site. “The investments we’ve made ensure that our warfighters and allies have the most advanced and battle-proven rocket motors available, reinforcing our employees’ role as trusted teammates in defense.”
