Air Force Calls The Test "Highly Successful"

Aerojet and the U.S. Air Force conducted a highly successful static test of Aerojet's Advanced Second Stage (A2S) Demonstration motor in support of the U.S. Family of Motors for military and commercial applications.

The Advanced Second Stage (A2S) motor was developed on the Propulsion Application Program (PAP) under contract to the 526th ICBM Systems Group at Hill AFB, Utah. The test was conducted at sea level conditions by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) at Edwards Air Force Base, CA.

Aerojet's A2S motor design incorporates numerous advanced technologies and materials selected in Phase I of the program and are being demonstrated via full-scale static tests in Phase II. The program's primary goal is to develop a new generation of ICBM-sized motors with increased propulsion performance and lower manufacturing and operational costs. In order to meet these goals, the A2S design consists of a graphite composite case fabricated with environmentally friendly materials, a low-cost movable nozzle with Honeywell-supplied electrical-mechanical actuators and digital controller and high energy solid propellant that was mixed and cast at Aerojet's Sacramento, Calif. facility.

During the static firing, the 52-in. diameter A2S motor achieved a peak thrust of more than 80,000 lbf. Initial post-test inspection indicates that all components functioned as designed and performance predictions were on target. The Air Force and Aerojet are now preparing for an A2S simulated altitude static test in September at USAF's Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC) in Tullahoma TN. The altitude test will fully validate motor performance and will be a precursor for potential flight testing.

"Aerojet is building a family of modern large solid rocket motors with improved performance at lower costs while, most importantly, using environmentally responsible and sustainable materials and processes," said John Napior, director of Aerojet's Advanced Strategic Propulsion Programs. "We are very pleased with our progress and the outstanding results we are realizing."

Mark Kaufman, executive director of Strategic Programs at Aerojet, added, "The research and development efforts conducted on the Propulsion Applications Program are crucial to our nation's sustainment of strategic strike capability. The tenets of design, analysis, material science, and modes of manufacture are being exercised to a degree that serves a broad spectrum of strategic propulsion alternatives pertinent to the future war fighters' needs. The A2S motor firing is the second test in a series of strategic-sized motor demonstrations we have planned for the year."

FMI: www.aerojet.com