Tue, Jul 02, 2013
Engine Represents Air Force's Technology Demonstration Investment Towards Potential Family Of Motors Capability
A newly developed Large Class (92-inch diameter) Stage I solid rocket motor was successfully tested May 23 by ATK and the United States Air Force at ATK's test facilities in Promontory, Utah. The high-performance motor was developed by ATK for the Large Class Stage I program and uses emerging technologies from other Air Force developmental programs, including the Propulsion Application Program and Integrated High Payoff Rocket Propulsion Technology. The contract is managed out of the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center at Hill Air Force Base. Preliminary results show all channels of data were collected, and performance appears to be within predictions.
"This successful test demonstrates ATK's capabilities to provide the Air Force an updated, large class solid rocket motor with technologies that can be used to support future missions," said Scott Lehr. "Our design also maximizes the use of common materials and processes that improve affordability and reduce production lead times."
The Air Force has been tasked with maturing and demonstrating available technologies in a Large Class Solid Rocket Motor (SRM) and with demonstrating a potential Family of Motors capability applicable to future propulsion systems. Having this capability would save the Air Force future development costs by assembling an array of existing rocket motors that could be combined to meet future mission requirements at a fraction of the cost of developing new propulsion systems for each mission.
ATK has a successful history of designing, fabricating, integrating, testing and delivering more than 3,800 stage motors in direct support of Department of Defense missions. As potential Family of Motors candidates, ATK's Large Class Stage I and Stage III motors could support multiple missions such as Conventional Strike Missile and Operationally Responsive Space.
The Large Class Stage I program is conducted under the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Demonstration/Validation Propulsion Applications Program funding to support the demonstration of technologies applicable to future strategic programs.
(Image provided by ATK)
More News
Back-Taxi A term used by air traffic controllers to taxi an aircraft on the runway opposite to the traffic flow. The aircraft may be instructed to back-taxi to the beginning of the>[...]
“Our WAI members across the nation are grateful for the service and sacrifice of the formidable group of WASP who served so honorably during World War II. This group of brave>[...]
“Many aspiring pilots fall short of their goal due to the cost of flight training, so EAA working with the Ray Foundation helps relieve some of the financial pressure and mak>[...]
Blind Speed The rate of departure or closing of a target relative to the radar antenna at which cancellation of the primary radar target by moving target indicator (MTI) circuits i>[...]
Aero Linx: International Airline Medical Association (IAMA) The International Airline Medical Association, formerly known as the Airline Medical Directors Association (AMDA) was fo>[...]
ANN's Daily Aero-Term (05.19.24): Back-Taxi
See All