Sat, Sep 16, 2006
Kinetic Energy Interceptor Has A First Stage
Alliant Techsystems
(ATK) successfully test-fired the first-stage rocket motor for the
U.S. Missile Defense Agency's (MDA) Kinetic Energy Interceptor
(KEI) Wednesday.
This is the second in a series of static motor firings in the
company's effort to meet its first scheduled booster flight in
2008. Northrop Grumman is leading the industry team developing and
testing a KEI capability under contract to MDA. Raytheon is
developing and integrating the KEI system's interceptor.
In a press release, ATK's Vice President of Strategic &
Commercial Systems Bill Condas said, "The rocket motor burned
successfully to completion, demonstrating proof-of-concept of the
motor assembly and its thrust vector control nozzle for this
high-acceleration, high-velocity, and highly maneuverable missile.
Initial test results matched expectations for rocket motor
performance and integrity."
In January ATK ran a successful test of the rocket motor's
second stage.
ATK is the largest propulsion subcontractor on the KEI program,
under contract to Raytheon's interceptor team. They produce
first-stage rocket motors at facilities in Utah and have plans for
facilities in Maryland to produce the second- and third-stage
rocket motors. Other subsystems will be produced by ATK in West
Virginia.
As ANN has reported in recent articles, the MDA has had mixed
results in full-scale testing of its trouble-prone missile defense
systems. Earlier this week a Northop Grumman target missile was
destroyed by range officers when it malfunctioned after launch. The
week prior saw the successful interception of a target missile by a
Boeing interceptor missile, marking the system's first success in
nearly 18 months.
More News
Chaff Thin, narrow metallic reflectors of various lengths and frequency responses, used to reflect radar energy. These reflectors, when dropped from aircraft and allowed to drift d>[...]
“Today, XB-1 took flight in the same hallowed airspace where the Bell X-1 first broke the sound barrier in 1947. I’ve been looking forward to this flight since founding>[...]
“Teaming up with the EAA and Berlin Express for this event in Cincinnati will give warbird fans a unique opportunity to see the aircraft that helped defend freedom and gave t>[...]
Hazardous Weather Information Summary of significant meteorological information (SIGMET/WS), convective significant meteorological information (convective SIGMET/WST), urgent pilot>[...]
Aero Linx: The Nebraska Aeronautics Commission The Nebraska Aeronautics Commission was created by the 1935 Legislature to oversee the development of aviation in the state. The Comm>[...]