ATK Demonstrates Rocket Motor for Missile Defense Applications

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Minneapolis - Sep 26, 2003
Alliant Techsystems (ATK) has successfully tested a high-performance Advanced Solid Axial Stage (ASAS) 32-inch-diameter solid rocket motor demonstrating critical technologies required for future missile defense, as well as strategic and tactical mission applications.

The ASAS 32-58V motor is the latest member of the ASAS family of booster motors. The project was dubbed RAVEN (RApid Vectoring Nozzle), representing a primary technology objective of the test. The motor met all test objectives, including high-angle thrust vector control (TVC) and a high nozzle slew rate.

MPC Products Corporation, Skokie, Ill., provided the nozzle actuators and controller for the test. The motor utilized an ATK-designed "smart" electronic safe and arm (ESA) device and a pyrotechnic igniter for rapid motor ignition. ATK Composites TCR Division provided the high-strength TCR fiber/resin system used by ATK Elkton to fabricate the motor case.

Don Shaffer, president, ATK Elkton, noted the strong interest of the customer community in the test and stated that "the performance of the motor was exceptionally close to what was predicted.

"This test demonstrated that our analytical models and our design and manufacturing processes are well understood for high-performance motors. This effort establishes a solid platform from which we can design and build rocket motors for the next generation of missiles."

MISSILE DEFENSE

Orbital Wins $14 Million Launch Deal For Missile Defense Tests

Dulles - Sep 24, 2003
Orbital Sciences has been awarded a sole-source contract for the Critical Measurements and Countermeasures (CMCM-1) Program under the Critical Measurements Program (CMP) contract by U.S. Army's Space and Missile Defense Command (USASMDC), located in Huntsville, AL.