Sat, Feb 01, 2003
Aerojet has wrapped up ground tests on a new
missile whose thrust depends solely on the load it's pushing. The
flight-weight controllable thrust motor completed testing this week
at its plant in Sacramento, (CA). The company says its motor passed
with flying colors. Next step: flight testing.
One Motor: Many Missiles
The motor is a "stand alone" system, including flight-weight
controller electronics, a rechargeable battery, and simulated
missile power loads. The test culminated in a successful static
firing for 75 seconds with a demonstrated throttling ratio of 20:1.
The controllable thrust motor provides any level of thrust, at any
time, within the range of capability, for tactical missile
applications.
Shakedown
Before the test, the motor passed vibration testing, temperature
cycling, and was temperature conditioned to the lowest level of its
operating range.
"The completion of these six successful flight motor tests -- at
all of the specified extreme temperature conditions -- gives
us the confidence our flights tests will be successful as well. ,"
said Glen Sutton, program manager for Raytheon's NetFires Precision
Attack Missile (PAM). Flight testing is scheduled to begin next
month.
"The advancement of controllable thrust technology allows for
one motor to support multiple missions and the success of the final
ground test means this is ready for application," said Aerojet
Defense Systems Executive Director Joe Abbate. "The most immediate
beneficiary of this motor test will be the Raytheon NetFires
PAM."
The controllable thrust motor supports longer range, shorter
time-to-target, multi-mission capability and other benefits.
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