Test Conducted For The U.S. Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center

A second Large Class 92" diameter second stage solid rocket motor has been successfully tested at sea level conditions at the Utah Test and Training Range at Hill Air Force Base (AFB), Utah. The first successful test at simulated altitude conditions was conducted on Feb.12, 2014 at Arnold Engineering Development Center, TN. This is the largest motor ever tested at either site.

The large class second stage was designed, fabricated and tested by Aerojet Rocketdyne for the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center at Hill AFB under a demonstration contract which required use of available technologies applicable to multiple future common strategic propulsion systems. With this work, Aerojet Rocketdyne and its subcontractors are helping to sustain and improve the solid rocket motor industrial base, a critical national need recognized by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and a contract objective of the customer.

"This motor firing demonstrates the flexibility of the stage to perform in either a booster or upper stage mode," said Tyler Evans, Aerojet Rocketdyne vice president, Rocket Shop Defense Advanced programs in a news release. "This test provides strategic options for the U.S. Air Force, other defense agencies and commercial customers."

FMI: www.Rocket.com