Matthew Nelson
An Aerojet Rocketdyne subsidiary has demonstrated an air launch extraction and descent platform for target missiles under a contract with the Missile Defense Agency.
The company said Tuesday Coleman Aerospace launched the system using a C-17 aircraft and deployed a representative missile simulator on a carriage extraction system that employed a Poly-Conical, Lightweight, Enhanced, Ringslot parachute cluster during the Iron Bird Mission test.
Coleman Aerospace will use data from the demonstration event in efforts to develop analysis and simulation technology platforms for potential medium range ballistic missile configurations.
"The knowledge gained during this pathfinder effort will further validate the design, processes, equipment and facilities required to support future MRBM target missions," said Eileen Drake, CEO and president of Aerojet Rocketdyne.
MDA awarded Coleman Aerospace a contract in 2013 to produce an MRBM target vehicle and provide logistics support services.
