Aerojet Rocketdyne Wins Contract to Make New Propulsion Systems of Stinger Missiles for U.S. Military

Defense News ,U.S :-  Aerojet Rocketdyne, part of L3Harris Technologies, got a job to create motors for Stinger missiles, helping replenish the U.S. stockpile. They've been making Stinger motors for a long time, supporting foreign military sales and a program to extend the life of Army missiles. This new contract is a big deal because it's been almost 20 years since new missiles were made for the U.S. military.

Ross Niebergall, President of Aerojet Rocketdyne, said the work done by their Camden team is crucial for both allies and the U.S. stockpile. They're excited to provide Raytheon and the U.S. military with reliable motors for the new batch of Stinger anti-aircraft missiles.

Here's how it works: The launch motor shoots the Stinger missile from its tube or a vehicle. After the launch, the flight motor kicks in, making the missile reach its target. Stinger missiles are effective against different types of targets, including helicopters and planes. With a proximity fuse, they can even take down small, self-controlled targets.

Aerojet Rocketdyne has been making Stinger motors for over 30 years. They used to do it in Virginia, but since 2007, production moved to Camden, Arkansas. The Camden team has made around 9,000 flight motors and 2,000 launch motors for Raytheon Stinger production, helping foreign military sales and the Army's program to extend missile life.

The motors are made in Aerojet Rocketdyne's Camden site, with support from facilities in Huntsville, Alabama, and Orange County, Virginia.

The Stinger missile started in 1981 and is used by the Army, Marines, and U.S. allies. The U.S. even gave Stinger missiles to Ukraine to help protect against Russian air attacks on their cities.