Content introduction
Aerojet Rocketdyne doubles rocket engine production capacity
Aerojet Rocketdyne, a business unit of L3Harris Technologies, announced that it has doubled its monthly GMLRS rocket engine production as global demand for rocket engines surges. Aerojet’s production expansion was prompted by urgent needs in response to the war in Ukraine and U.S. inventory shortages. In addition, U.S. defense contractor L3Harris acquired Aerojet in December 2022 to consolidate its market share in rocket engine manufacturing, a move that has been validated in the current global geopolitical environment.
The main reason for the surge in global demand
The ongoing war in Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East have led to a surge in global demand for rocket engines and missiles, especially due to the new operational concept of “economical high-yield firepower.” The military anticipates that future conflicts will require significant fire support. Due to the long-range precision strike advantages of the GMLRS rocket on the Ukrainian battlefield, its global demand has increased rapidly, attracting orders from different countries.
Aerojet Rocketdyne’s expansion investments and supply chain optimization
Since L3Harris completed its acquisition of Aerojet Rocketdyne, the company has increased its capital investment in this business unit by 84%. The company worked with more than 70 suppliers in Alabama and spent $25 million to improve the productivity and efficiency of its more than 300 supplier network. This expansion not only increases the production of GMLRS engines, but also provides solid production support for other rockets including Javelin anti-tank weapons.
Future Rocket Engine Production and Challenges from Emerging Competitors
Although market demand is strong and new rocket engine manufacturing companies have entered the market, they do not have the capacity to produce large-scale rocket engines. With support from L3Harris, Aerojet Rocketdyne’s factory near Huntsville, Alabama, is undergoing upgrades, including investing in large-scale carbon fiber winding equipment to manufacture advanced engine casings and automated nozzles and accessories. At the same time, in order to ensure product quality, the company has introduced advanced quality control technology, giving it significant advantages in the production of core components for GMLRS rockets and larger rocket engines.
Editorial view
L3Harris has provided a stable supply to the global rocket and missile market by increasing the production capacity of Aerojet Rocketdyne. Especially in the context of current geopolitical tensions, this production expansion provides a strong weapons reserve for the United States and its allies. support. Its collaboration with suppliers and investments in expansion give Aerojet an important advantage in the market. With the application of “economical high-yield firepower” tactics in future conflicts, Aerojet Rocketdyne’s production capabilities will become an important guarantee for the U.S. military and its allies, further consolidating its market position in the defense industry.
Glossary
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GMLRS: The full name is “Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System”. It is a long-range rocket with high-precision strike capability and is mainly used for ground combat support.
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Aerojet Rocketdyne: A well-known American aerospace and defense company, mainly responsible for the design and manufacturing of rocket engines and missile propulsion systems.
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Economical, high-yield firepower: A military doctrine designed to reduce costs and achieve desired military effects through intensive firepower output.
Major events this year
October 2024 – The U.S. Department of Defense signed a new long-term contract with L3Harris to further increase the procurement of GMLRS rockets to meet the needs of Ukraine and other allies. The signing of this agreement demonstrates the U.S. government’s trust in L3Harris’s stability in the rocket engine supply chain and reflects the U.S.’s forward-looking layout for future combat needs.
Source: US Stock Today Network
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