L3Harris Technologies’ Aerojet Rocketdyne Boosts GMLRS Rocket Motor Production

By Mike Stone
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama (Reuters) – L3Harris Technologies' subsidiary Aerojet Rocketdyne has doubled its monthly production of motors for GMLRS rockets heavily used in Ukraine, according to a company executive on Tuesday. Global demand is surging to supply Kyiv and rebuild dwindling U.S. stockpiles.

Demand for rocket motors is soaring worldwide due to conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. Other militaries are recognizing that future conflicts will likely require increased rocket and missile usage, in line with a new warfighting doctrine termed "affordable mass" to signify the heightened firepower demanded.

This demand surge is promising for L3Harris. In December 2022, the U.S. defense contractor expressed intentions to acquire Aerojet, which produces about half of the rocket motors for U.S. military missiles and rockets. At that time, the duration of the war in Ukraine remained uncertain and the Pentagon had secured few contracts to replenish its stocks.

Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) rockets can travel approximately 45 miles (72 km). Their extensive utilization and effectiveness in Ukraine have attracted interest from new customers.

"GMLRS was a program for which we have almost limitless demand. In the most recent quarter, we’ve doubled our monthly production compared to 2023," said Ross Niebergall, president of Aerojet Rocketdyne.

Aerojet did not disclose specific production figures; however, Lockheed Martin, the GMLRS main contractor, was producing around 4,600 annually before increasing production in 2022. Lockheed's GMLRS output is set to expand from 10,000 units in 2024 to 14,000 in 2025.

The GMLRS production line also incorporates motors from Northrop Grumman.

The rising demand has encouraged new entrants into the U.S. rocket motor manufacturing sector, though they lack mass production capabilities.

Aerojet's facilities in Huntsville, Alabama, have been upgraded with investments in large carbon-fiber winding devices for advanced casing production, new automated presses for nozzles and fittings, and enhanced quality control technology since L3Harris completed its acquisition just over a year ago.

The newly equipped facility produces essential casings for highly demanded solid fuel rocket motors such as the Javelin antitank weapon and GMLRS rockets, as well as larger rocket motors.