Aerojet Rocketdyne has successful tests of two military projects

The propulsion technologies will be used by the U.S. Navy and Army.

Sailors secure a torpedo while loading ammunition aboard the USS Antietam in 2018. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class William McCann.

Aerojet Rocketdyne announced this week the successful tests of two separate pieces of equipment for the U.S. military.

On Tuesday, the company said its Stored Chemical Energy Propulsion, or SCEPS, lithium boiler has been successfully built and tested. The boiler could be used to power the U.S. Navy’s next generation torpedoes. SCEPS is an advanced propulsion system that could also improve the capability of the larger MK 54 MOD 2 torpedo.

The company independently funded the fabrication and testing of the SCEPS lithium-based thermal energy system, which uses a chemical reaction to power a steam turbine.

“Maritime security is essential to national security. The Aerojet Rocketdyne team is proud to enhance and advance our investment in SCEPS propulsion to power the nation’s cutting-edge undersea capability that will ultimately protect what we value most — our homeland, our U.S. military service members and our allies,” said Eileen Drake, Aerojet Rocketdyne CEO and president.

This morning the company announced the successful test of its advanced solid rocket motor as part of the U.S. Army Low Cost Tactical Extended Range Missile (LC-TERM) Technology Program.  The program applies to the U.S. Army’s Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS) family of munitions.

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The static test, conducted in Arkansas, demonstrated lower weight components and higher performance tactical propulsion technologies that can provide MLRS with extended-range capability.

The LC-TERM program aims to mature tactical missile technologies and transition them to the Long Range Precision Fires missile portfolio.

Aerojet Rocketdyne, a California-based firm with offices in Huntsville, is an aerospace and defense contractor, providing propulsion systems and energetics for space, missile defense and strategic systems and tactical systems areas for both domestic and international customers.

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