The Knowledge Base: My 2025 Industry Wish List
Global Sourcing Spotlight: The Surprising World of Offshore B2B Industrial Values
Nolan’s Notes: Emerging Trends in 2025
L3Harris Plays Key Role in Successful Missile Defense Test
December 16, 2024 | L3Harris TechnologiesEstimated reading time: 1 minute
L3Harris Technologies provided the Medium Range Ballistic Missile (MRBM) target and propulsion for the Standard Missile-3 Block IIA (SM-3 Blk IIA) used in the Missile Defense Agency’s (MDA) latest successful test aimed at strengthening U.S. missile defense.
The Aegis Guam System, integrated with the new AN/TPY-6 radar and Vertical Launching System, fired an SM-3 Blk IIA, which intercepted an air-launched MRBM target off the coast of Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, during Flight Experiment Mission-02.
“Our team’s high-fidelity mobile-launch target and propulsion systems helped enable MDA’s successful test of the SM-3 and other capabilities critical for the defense of Guam,” said Ross Niebergall, President, Aerojet Rocketdyne, L3Harris. “The MRBM target and SM-3 propulsion systems contribute to streamlined operations in remote locations worldwide, essential to highly effective missile defense system testing.”
L3Harris designed, manufactured and launched the MRBM Type 1 target for the recent test. The company also provided integrated logistics support, including inventory storage and maintenance, pre- and post-mission analysis, launch preparation, launch execution and engineering services for the test.
The U.S. Navy uses the SM-3 Blk IIA as a defensive weapon to defeat short- and intermediate-range ballistic missile threats. It is an integral part of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System on certain Navy cruisers and destroyers.
L3Harris’ Mk 72 solid rocket boost motors provide the first stage propulsion for SM-3 Blk IIA to safely launch the interceptors, while the company’s Throttling Divert and Attitude Control System helps maneuver the system’s kinetic warhead into the target for the final hit-to-kill impact.
Share on:
Suggested Items
RTX's Raytheon Awarded $333M Contract for SM-6 Block IA Production
01/15/2025 | RTXRaytheon, an business, was awarded a $333 million contract from the U.S. Navy to produce Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) Block IA missiles.
RTX's Raytheon Awarded $946M Contract to Provide Additional Patriot Air Defense Systems to Romania
01/06/2025 | RTXRaytheon, an RTX business, was awarded a $946 million contract to supply Romania with additional Patriot air and missile defense systems.
Northrop Grumman Launches Black Dagger Target to Test New Patriot Missile System Sensor
12/20/2024 | Northrop GrummanNorthrop Grumman Corporation launched a Zombie target vehicle variation, known as “Black Dagger,” from Fort Wingate to White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, for the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command’s (USASMDC) LTZ-3 test mission. Zombie targets get their name because they bring “new life” to demilitarized solid rocket motors by repurposing them to create threat-representative tactical ballistic missiles.
Army Conducts First Soldier-Led Limited User Test of Lockheed Martin’s Precision Strike Missile
12/16/2024 | Lockheed MartinThe U.S. Army successfully completed its first Soldier-led Limited User Test (LUT) of Lockheed Martin’s Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) in a milestone flight test at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico.
U.S. Army Awards Lockheed Martin Contract to Increase PAC-3 MSE Production Capacity
11/14/2024 | Lockheed MartinThe U.S. Army recently awarded Lockheed Martin a contract to support increasing production capacity to 650 Patriot Advanced Capability – 3 (PAC-3®) Missile Segment Enhancements (MSEs)per year.