SACRAMENTO, Calif., March 17, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aerojet Rocketdyne, a subsidiary of Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:AJRD), announced that its propulsion systems powered a Lockheed Martin PAC‑3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) missile to successfully intercept an incoming ballistic missile target.

Today’s complex U.S. Army-led missile defense test was staged at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. One PAC-3 MSE missile was launched and successfully intercepted the incoming target.

This mission was the seventh successful guided flight test for the MSE interceptor where a target simulating a tactical ballistic missile was intercepted in the MSE extended battlespace.

“Today’s successful intercept test further validated the advanced capabilities of the high-performance MSE and its ability to effectively counter increasingly complex missile threat scenarios,” said Eileen Drake, CEO and President of Aerojet Rocketdyne. “The hit-to-kill accuracy and extended range of the interceptor provides our warfighters with greater assurance against the proliferation of threats around the world. Aerojet Rocketdyne is proud to play such an important role in empowering and protecting our troops with the most advanced technology available.”

The PAC-3 MSE program significantly expands the reach and capability of the already proven PAC-3 missile by giving the high-velocity interceptor more range and maneuverability. Aerojet Rocketdyne’s MSE propulsion system, produced at the company’s Camden, Arkansas, facility is an advanced rocket motor that provides energy management as a key element of the expanded interceptor capability. Aerojet Rocketdyne also provides 180 attitude control motors used on each PAC-3 MSE interceptor for flyout maneuvering and hit-to-kill agility, as well as an advanced lethality enhancer for the MSE interceptor.

Aerojet Rocketdyne is an innovative company delivering solutions that create value for its customers in the aerospace and defense markets. The company is a world-recognized aerospace and defense leader that provides propulsion and energetics to the space, missile defense and strategic systems, tactical systems and armaments areas, in support of domestic and international markets. Additional information about Aerojet Rocketdyne can be obtained by visiting our websites at www.Rocket.com and www.AerojetRocketdyne.com.

Contact: Glenn Mahone, Aerojet Rocketdyne, 202-302-9941
Glenn.Mahone@Rocket.com
Lynn Machon, Aerojet Rocketdyne, 916-355-3587
Lynn.Machon@Rocket.com