Aerojet Electronics Selected to Build Anti-Tank Weapon

Aerojet Electronic Systems, the Azusa-based unit of GenCorp, said Wednesday that it was selected by the Army as prime contractor for the “sense and destroy armor” munition, an anti-tank weapon under development since 1986.

The company declined to estimate potential revenues from the program, but in 1986 the value was put at $1 billion. At that time, executives said each munition unit would cost $3,000.

Aerojet officials also declined to project employment on the program, but company executives said in a 1986 interview that the program would employ 600 workers. Aerojet said it has 190 employees on the program.

The Army selected Aerojet over Alliant Techsystems to complete development and prepare for production starting in 1993.

The munition, called the SADARM, is fired by artillery or field rockets and uses infrared and radar guidance to find armored targets. An explosive charge sends a penetrator rod to the target at 8,000 feet per second.

The munition would be built in Asuza, though explosives would be assembled at a subsidiary plant in New Mexico, a spokeswoman said. Alliant will also work under Aerojet as a subcontractor.