Aerojet Rocketdyne unveils cutting-edge solid rocket motor for Kratos' Zeus Program

Aerojet Rocketdyne unveils cutting-edge solid rocket motor for Kratos' Zeus Program
by Brad Bartz
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jul 12, 2023

Aerojet Rocketdyne has reached a significant milestone in the development of the Zeus 1, an advanced stage 1 Large Solid Rocket Motor (LSRM) designed for Kratos' ambitious Zeus program. Following a successful static-fire test, the motor not only met but exceeded performance expectations, cementing its position as a game-changer in the field of hypersonic applications.

The Aerojet Rocketdyne team, in collaboration with Kratos, has received high praise for this remarkable accomplishment. Eileen P. Drake, CEO and president of Aerojet Rocketdyne, expressed her admiration, stating, "Congratulations to the Aerojet Rocketdyne and Kratos teams for this outstanding achievement. This test validated the robustness of our innovative motor design for an affordable hypersonic application, and further demonstrated our large solid rocket motor capabilities at Camden, where we support multiple industry customers to power various defense programs."

The Zeus 1 motor was meticulously developed at Aerojet Rocketdyne's state-of-the-art facilities in Huntsville, Alabama, and subsequently manufactured and tested in Camden, Arkansas. The collaborative effort between Kratos and Aerojet Rocketdyne resulted in the successful development of the motor, with both parties co-funding the project.

Eric DeMarco, President and CEO of Kratos Defense and Security Solutions, hailed the accomplishment of the Zeus 1 as a testament to the synergistic partnership between Kratos and Aerojet Rocketdyne. DeMarco stated, "The Zeus 1 accomplishment is a representative example of the force multiplier effect and success of the Kratos and Aerojet Rocketdyne relationship, which is a true partnership. Aerojet Rocketdyne is a clear technological leader in the rapid development and production of cost-effective propulsion systems like Zeus, and top down, Aerojet Rocketdyne is focused on the success of the mission."

Kratos plans to employ the Zeus 1 commercial solid rocket motor to enhance launch vehicle stages for its research, hypersonic, and ballistic missile target vehicles. In a recent announcement, Kratos highlighted that the motor's performance surpasses that of similar legacy solid rocket motors, offering substantial improvements. These advancements are expected to enable Kratos' customers to achieve increased frequency, speed, and range, while utilizing fewer stages at a significantly reduced cost.

The Zeus 1 represents the first of two high-performance LSRMs developed by Aerojet Rocketdyne as part of the Kratos Zeus Program. Presently, Aerojet Rocketdyne is actively engaged in the manufacturing process of the larger Zeus 2 motor, which is scheduled for testing at the Camden facility later this year.

This recent qualification test marks yet another triumph in the ongoing evolution of Aerojet Rocketdyne's legacy LSRM capabilities. The company's commitment to excellence is evident through its investments in a highly skilled workforce and modern LSRM facilities. With its unwavering dedication to innovation, Aerojet Rocketdyne is poised to revolutionize the field of solid rocket motors and pave the way for future breakthroughs in hypersonic applications.