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Aerojet Rocketdyne’s (Sacramento, Calif., U.S.) reported on Oct. 6 that its new large solid rocket motor manufacturing facility in Camden, Ark., U.S., is officially open for operations, highlighting the company’s significant investments in the modernization and innovation of its solid rocket motor production capabilities, and continuing the company’s expansion in southern Arkansas.

“The Engineering, Manufacturing Development [EMD] facility is the newest, state-of-the-art large solid rocket motor manufacturing facility in the nation, and we look forward to expanding our decades-long solid rocket motor production capability in Camden,” says Eileen P. Drake, Aerojet Rocketdyne CEO and president. “Thanks in large part to Governor Asa Hutchinson and our partners in Arkansas, Camden is poised to become a major center of large solid rocket motor production.”

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According to the Aerojet Rocketdyne, the ability to produce large solid rocket motors at the EMD facility positions the company to deliver on some of the nation’s most important next-generation national security programs, including strategic deterrence, hypersonics and missile defense. Aerojet Rocketdyne was recently selected by Northrop Grumman (Falls Church, Ver., U.S.) to provide a large solid rocket motor system and a post-boost propulsion system as part of its nationwide Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) team.

"Arkansas is playing an increasingly important role in the production of advanced national defense technologies and tools,” says Senator John Boozman. “This facility represents the next step in that evolution, and our state is proud to partner with Aerojet Rocketdyne so that its operations in Camden are equipped to meet the company’s needs for a business-friendly environment and skilled workforce capable of helping ensure the readiness, effectiveness and safety of our troops. Arkansas’ rich military history and tradition is only further enhanced with this expansion, and we’re excited for what’s to come.” Representative Bruce Westerman adds that the company’s investment in Camden is further solidifying the area as a major player in the defense industry, and is bringing dozens of additional jobs to the community. 

Construction of the 17,000 square-foot EMD facility began last spring as part of Aerojet Rocketdyne’s ongoing expansion in Camden, where the company has long had a presence and currently produces more than 75,000 solid rocket motors per year. The company notes that it was made possible with support from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, Calhoun County and the Ouachita Partnership for Economic Development (OPED).

“Ouachita Partnership for Economic Development is proud to have been a partner in Aerojet Rocketdyne’s EMD facility project by providing both job creation and workforce training incentives for this milestone expansion for the Camden operations. It required coordination and teamwork with Aerojet Rocketdyne, Governor Hutchinson's office, AEDC and Calhoun County to make this project possible. South Arkansas will reap dividends for years to come due to this investment,” adds executive director for OPED James Lee Silliman.

Aerojet Rocketdyne’s growth in Camden was driven by a company-wide consolidation and modernization initiative that began in 2015. Aimed at reducing costs and increasing operational efficiency, the company has demonstrated the ability to successfully transfer programs and proficiencies to other sites. Now substantially complete, Aerojet Rocketdyne surpassed its goal of reducing costs across the enterprise by $230 million annually. The company says it is now well-positioned to deliver innovative, affordable solutions for some of the nation’s most challenging national security requirements.