Aerojet EKV DACS Delivers in Fourth Consecutive Successful Missile Defense Intercept Test

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Oct. 21, 2002 -- Components manufactured by Aerojet, a GenCorp Inc. (NYSE: GY) company, played key roles in the fourth consecutive successful intercept system test of the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system conducted October 14, over the central Pacific Ocean. This test, designated Integrated Flight Test-9, is the sixth successful missile defense test for Aerojet's Divert and Attitude Control Subsystem (DACS) for the Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle (EKV). The EKV is a major element in the GMD system, demonstrating "hit-to-kill" capabilities.

"Aerojet continues to demonstrate that our DACS propulsion technology is a highly reliable part of our nation's missile defense programs," said Warren Yasuhara, Missile Defense program manager for Aerojet. “Teamed with Raytheon, we have dedicated our efforts to demonstrate effectiveness and help make an integrated missile defense system a reality for our nation.”

In the test, all of Aerojet’s GMD components performed as planned. The SR-19AJ-1 boosters provided launch vehicle stages for the Orbital Suborbital Program (OSP) target launcher and the Payload Launch Vehicle (PLV) interceptor.

Launched from Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands, the EKV successfully maneuvered the interceptor. In doing so, it destroyed the surrogate reentry vehicle target at an altitude of about 140 miles and at closing velocities in excess of 15,000 miles per hour.

The EKV DACS is currently undergoing a transition into production at Aerojet's Sacramento, California facility. The company is also heavily involved in development of control propulsion for the first stage of the GMD Boost Vehicle, Sea-based interceptors and other defensive missiles and interceptors.

The Missile Defense Agency, a Department of Defense agency headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, manages the GMD program. The EKV DACS programs are part of the Raytheon-led EKV program. As the lead contractor for the EKV, Raytheon currently is under contract to provide 25 vehicles in support of the GMD flight test program.

Aerojet supplies the DACS to Raytheon for integration into the EKV. Aerojet is under contract to Raytheon in support of the ongoing flight test program and delivers units at a rate of one per month. A series of flight tests, designed to incrementally test all aspects of the GMD architecture, is scheduled to continue throughout 2007. Lockheed Martin Missiles & Space provides the Payload Launch Vehicle, and Orbital Sciences provides the Target Launch Vehicle to launch the target complex. Boeing is the prime contractor for the GMD program, which is directed by the Joint Program Office of the Department of Defense Missile Defense Agency.

Aerojet is a world-recognized aerospace and defense leader principally serving the missile and space propulsion, and defense and armaments markets. GenCorp Inc. is a technology-based manufacturer with leading positions in aerospace and defense, pharmaceutical and automotive industries. For more information, please visit http://www.aerojet.com and http://www.gencorp.com.

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