L3Harris tests new advanced rocket motor in U.S. Missile Defense Agency exercise

The exercise aimed to evaluate the detection and tracking capabilities of advanced hypersonic threats, with the USS Pinckney playing a key role. It also involved a simulated launch of an upgraded Standard Missile 6 at the MRBM, which featured a Hypersonic Target Vehicle 1.

L3Harris described the eSR-19 as an enhanced version of the legacy SR-19 motor used in the second stage of Minuteman III strategic missiles. The upgraded motor includes a lighter filament-wound composite casing and other technical improvements to boost performance.

“L3Harris designs, builds and integrates air-launched target missiles and then launches them from C-17 aircraft to provide realistic test trajectories,” said Ken Bedingfield, President of Aerojet Rocketdyne, L3Harris. “The enhanced capability of our new eSR-19 solid rocket motor, combined with our proven air-launch system, allows our target missile to accurately represent a wider array of potential threats, providing MDA with more flexibility in developing test scenarios.”