First ask yourself this question. What makes Aerojet Rocketdyne a key player in aerospace and defense? Aerojet Rocketdyne stands as a subsidiary of L3Harris. It manufactures rocket, hypersonic, and electric propulsive systems. These systems serve space, defense, civil, and commercial applications.
Aerojet Rocketdyne’s story traces back to two main origins. Aerojet began with the General Tire and Rubber Company in 1915. Rocketdyne emerged as a division of North American Aviation in 1955. The 2013 merger of Aerojet and Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne formed Aerojet Rocketdyne. L3Harris acquired Aerojet Rocketdyne in July 2023 for $4.7 billion.
Let’s dive into Aerojet’s background. General Tire & Rubber diversified into broadcasting and aeronautics decades after its start. Aerojet started experimenting with rocket designs in the 1940s. General Tire & Rubber provided assistance. They became a partner in the company.
Radio broadcasting expanded through the purchase of radio networks starting in 1943. The acquisition of WOR-TV in 1952 extended the broadcast business into television. General Tire & Rubber bought the RKO Radio Pictures movie studio in 1953. All media and entertainment holdings were organized into the RKO General division.
General Tire & Rubber owned substantial property in California because of its studio and rocket businesses. Its internal facilities management unit began commercializing operations. Aerojet-General Corporation acquired about 12,600 acres in Eastern Sacramento County. Aerojet transformed these former gold fields into rocket manufacturing and testing facilities. These lands provided buffer zones for Aerojet’s operations. The property became available for other uses as the need for facilities and safety zones decreased. Approximately 6,000 acres of Aerojet lands are planned as a community called Easton.
Rocketdyne’s history is also interesting. North American Aviation spun off Rocketdyne in 1955. Rocketdyne developed rocket motors. It built upon research into the German V-2 Rocket after World War II. Rocketdyne became a major supplier for NASA. They produced the Rocketdyne F-1 engine for the Apollo Space Program’s Saturn V rocket. They also made the RS-25 engine for the Space Shuttle program and its successor, the Space Launch System. Aerojet Rocketdyne contributed to every successful NASA Mars mission. This includes powering the launch, entry, descent, and landing phases of the Perseverance rover mission.
The company changed names over time. General Tire created a parent holding company called GenCorp, Inc. in 1984. GenCorp, Inc. shed some units in the late 1980s. RKO General faced difficulties with the Federal Communications Commission during license renewal proceedings. GenCorp sold RKO General’s broadcast properties beginning in 1987. GenCorp, Inc. also sold General Tire to Continental AG. This allowed them to concentrate on Aerojet.
In 2012, GenCorp, Inc. agreed to buy Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne. The FTC approved the deal on June 10, 2013. GenCorp, Inc. was renamed Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc. on April 27, 2015.
An acquisition by Lockheed Martin was abandoned. However, L3Harris Technologies acquired Aerojet Rocketdyne in December 2022. The acquisition was completed in July 2023. L3Harris named Ross Niebergall as president of the new Aerojet Rocketdyne business segment.
Aerojet Rocketdyne continues to shape the future of aerospace. Its contributions span from historic missions to innovative propulsion systems. The company remains a key player in space exploration and defense.