[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 156 (Monday, October 26, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2634]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


         IN RECOGNITION OF CAMDEN, ARKANSAS'S AEROJET EMPLOYEES

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                             HON. MIKE ROSS

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 26, 2009

  Mr. ROSS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the nearly 600 
employees at Aerojet-General Corporation's Camden, Arkansas, production 
facility and their achievement of the milestone shipment of their 
5,000th MK 104 Dual Thrust Rocket Motor to Raytheon Missile Systems and 
the United States Navy.
  Aerojet is a world-recognized aerospace and defense leader 
principally serving the missile, space propulsion and armaments 
markets. This most significant milestone will be commemorated with a 
celebration ceremony held in Camden, Arkansas, on Wednesday, October 
28, 2009.
  The MK 104 Dual Thrust Rocket Motor provides the main propulsion for 
the Standard Missile 2 (SM-2), the United States Navy's primary 
surface-to-air air defense weapon. SM-2 is an integral part of the 
AEGIS Weapon System aboard Ticonderoga-class cruisers and Arleigh 
Burke-class destroyers. The MK 104 Dual Thrust Rocket Motor also is the 
second stage propulsion for the Navy's newest defensive weapon, the 
Standard Missile 6 Extended Range Active Missile (SM-6), which will 
provide extended-range, anti-air warfare capability over both sea and 
land. The MK 104 is also utilized on the Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) for 
Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) from sea missions.
  Aerojet has manufactured the MK 104 Dual Thrust Rocket Motor since 
1987 at its Camden facility. The Standard Missile family of products, 
which also include the MK 72 booster and MK 125 warhead, is a 
noteworthy element of Aerojet's industry-leading tactical propulsion 
portfolio produced in Camden, generating significant employment 
opportunities for the area.
  On the occasion of this milestone, I am proud to recognize the 
dedicated, hardworking employees of Aeroject in Camden and their 
achievements so far. These Arkansans are working hard to ensure our men 
and women in uniform have the resources they need to carry out their 
missions effectively and quickly and they deserve our sincere 
appreciation.

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