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
Takeoff Roll The process whereby an aircraft is aligned with the runway centerline and the aircraft is moving with the intent to take off. For helicopters, this pertains to the act>[...]
“We’re proud of the hard work that went into receiving this validation, and it will be a welcome relief to our customers in the European Union. We couldn’t be mor>[...]
"Aircraft Spruce is pleased to announce the acquisition of the parts distribution operations of Wag-Aero. Wag-Aero was founded in the 1960’s by Dick and Bobbie Wagner in the >[...]
IDENT Feature The special feature in the Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon System (ATCRBS) equipment. It is used to immediately distinguish one displayed beacon target from other be>[...]
Aero Linx: Pararescue Air Force Pararescuemen, also known as PJs, are the only DoD elite combat forces specifically organized, trained, equipped, and postured to conduct full spect>[...]