L3Harris Technologies [LHX] on Monday said it successfully hot-fire tested the Zeus 2 large solid rocket motor (SRM) that it developed commercially with Kratos Defense & Security Solutions
[KTOS] in support of testing of hypersonic, ballistic missile defense, suborbital, and other systems.
The Zeus 2 testing, which was done at L3Harris’ Aerojet Rocketdyne business facilities in Camden, Ark., follows a successful hot-fire test of the Zeus 1 SRM in 2023. The Zeus 2 is nearly twice as long as the Zeus 1, the companies said.
The two tests complete the development program for both motors, which were internally funded. Aerojet Rocketdyne is under contract to Kratos do develop, build, and deliver nine more Zeus SRMs.
Eric DeMarco, president and CEO of Kratos, said in a statement that the Zeus family of SRMs “will enable rapid and affordable hypersonic testing and make Kratos ‘first to market’ with this highly relevant propulsion system to support DoD, space, and commercial customers.”