Melbourne, Fla., Feb. 9, 2024 – Aerojet Rocketdyne, an L3Harris Technologies [NYSE:LHX] company, provided the Medium Range Ballistic Missile (MRBM) target used in the Missile Defense Agency’s (MDA) successful test aimed at strengthening U.S. missile defense technologies.
The test, designated as FTX-23, used two Aegis ships and the Aegis Ashore Missile Defense Test Complex to perform target scene data collection of an MRBM with countermeasures. The test also included the firing of a Standard Missile-3 Block IIA (SM-3 Blk IIA) against the same medium range ballistic missile target, to verify additional functionality of the SM-3 Blk IIA.
“By providing a high-fidelity target our team helped ensure the MDA’s test program provided a realistic threat environment,” said Ross Niebergall, President, Aerojet Rocketdyne. “The MRBM target and C-17 cargo aircraft launch system enable streamlined operations in remote locations worldwide, essential to highly-effective, missile defense system testing.”
MRBM Type 1 and Type 2 targets are designed, manufactured and launched by Aerojet Rocketdyne’s Coleman site. In addition to the actual target vehicle, Aerojet Rocketdyne provides integrated logistics support, including inventory storage and maintenance, pre- and post-mission analysis, launch preparation, launch execution and engineering services.
The successful mission marks Aerojet Rocketdyne’s 38th launch in support of the U.S. missile defense program.
About L3Harris Technologies
L3Harris Technologies is the Trusted Disruptor in the defense industry. With customers’ mission-critical needs always in mind, our 50,000 employees deliver end-to-end technology solutions connecting the space, air, land, sea and cyber domains in the interest of national security.
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