Jane Edwards
Orbital ATK has completed a series of three ground-based static firing tests of a rocket motor for tactical missiles at both cold and hot extreme temperatures.
The company said Friday it performed the tests over a period of three weeks at its Rocket Center, W. Va.-based ballistics laboratory as part of its contract with the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory.
The rocket motor is an air-launched platform that contains a high-performance propellant placed in a lightweight composite case designed to reduce the inert weight ratio.
The large composite case incorporates a payload interface and integral launcher attachment that work to endure flight and captive carry environments.
Pat Nolan, vice president and general manager of missile products at Orbital ATK’s defense systems group, said the completion of the tests in three simulated environments seeks to mark the company’s readiness to transition the rocket motor to the next phases of booster qualification.
“These are great strides towards improving our high speed weapon systems which are critical to enhancing our warfighter’s safety, as well as their capabilities for greater standoff and quicker time to target,†Nolan added.
