Wed, Jul 15, 2009
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."
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