Lockheed Martin And ATK Demonstrate Complete Booster System For Submarine Intermediate Range Missiles

NUKEWARS

ATK conducted the development, manufacturing and successful testing of this two-rocket-motor propulsion subsystem in just over a year and showed significant production savings.

by Staff Writers
Sunnyvale CL (SPX) Jan 16, 2007
Lockheed Martin and Alliant Techsystems have successfully completed the Submarine Launched Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (SLIRBM) Booster System Demonstration for the U.S. Navy. The team successfully met all technical, cost and schedule objectives, demonstrating the availability of this near-term, affordable solution for prompt global strike.

The team has delivered the final missile system trade study to the Navy, completing the booster system demonstration contract, the first phase in a low-risk research and development path toward a deployable system. Potential follow-on phases could include flight test demonstrations with launcher integration and underwater launch tests.

In the booster system demonstration, Lockheed Martin and ATK demonstrated cost-effective, reliable and producible solid-propellant rocket motor technologies for a proposed conventional missile that would travel at supersonic speed to reach intermediate-range targets within 15 minutes. The proposed missile would be deployed on Ohio-class SSGN guided-missile submarines, offering the war fighter an extremely accurate, no-notice prompt global strike capability from an undetectable, highly mobile platform that is on station around the clock.

"Our team not only developed and tested the motors in record time, but also identified cost-reduction strategies for motor design and operation with no sacrifice in performance," said Tory Bruno, vice president, Strategic Missile Programs, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company. "This demonstration gives the Navy an important foundation for further development of this potential new capability."

The development, manufacturing and successful testing of this two-rocket-motor propulsion subsystem took place in just over a year and showed significant production savings, demonstrating a quick and affordable response to a military need.

"As hostile threats grow, these studies are critical in helping our Nation's military develop the next-generation high speed strike weapons systems," said Charlie Precourt, vice president, Advanced Strategic Programs, ATK Launch Systems Group. "The SLIRBM demonstration validated that development for this missile can be streamlined, reducing development time and costs to provide an affordable weapon - we look forward to continuing this cooperation with the U.S. Navy."

The trade study incorporated the results of motor tests. Two static test firings of the prototype two-stage propulsion system were conducted at an ATK facility in Promontory, Utah. In July 2006, the team successfully test fired a modified first-stage ATK Orion 32-7 motor for 50 seconds at maximum thrust.

In August 2006, the team successfully test fired a modified second-stage ATK Orion 32-4 motor for 40 seconds at maximum thrust. Both tests demonstrated the integrated operation of the motors with an electromechanical thrust vector control system that steers the motor's nozzle by responding to commands issued by an avionics system.

ATK integrated the thrust vector control system, which was supplied by Moog Inc. to ATK; and, Lockheed Martin developed the avionics system.

The U.S. Navy's Strategic Systems Programs Organization awarded the 16-month, $9.2 million contract in 2005. Lockheed Martin, the prime contractor, systems integrator and missile system trade study lead, performed program management and engineering at its Sunnyvale, Calif., facility. ATK, Lockheed Martin's partner and subcontractor, developed the rocket motor technology, including the booster motor and nozzle.

ATK is a $3.4 billion advanced weapon and space systems company employing approximately 15,000 people in 22 states. News and information can be found on the Internet at www.atk.com.

NUKEWARS

Most Britons Want International Deal Banning All Nuclear Weapons

London (AFP) Jan 15, 2007
Some 64 percent of the British public believe that their government should back an international agreement banning all nuclear weapons, according to a new poll released Monday. The YouGov poll was published as the House of Commons Defence Select Committee began studying the government's case for modernizing its Trident nuclear missile deterrent ahead of a full parliamentary vote in March.

SUPERPOWERS Japan Mulls Expanded Weapons Use For Overseas Troops Assuring Vital Interests Drives US Space Policy Japan Launches First Defense Ministry Since WWII Schmoozing At the White House	NUKEWARS Most Britons Want International Deal Banning All Nuclear Weapons US Defends Gulf Buildup, Calls Iran Actions 'Very Negative' Lockheed Martin And ATK Demonstrate Complete Booster System For Submarine Intermediate Range Missiles Asian Nations Urge North Korea On Kidnap Victims, Food Shortages
MISSILE NEWS Pakistan Chooses Raytheon's Proven Air Defense Missiles To Secure Borders General Dynamics Awarded $425M For Missile Systems By Spanish Army Raytheon Receives Contracts For Standard Missile-1 Support Services Javelin Block I Missile Achieves Success In Test Firings	MISSILE DEFENSE Missile Defense Really Does Take Rocket Science Banner Year For US Missile Defense Plans Raytheon Awarded Subcontract for Sea-Based X-Band Radar Sustainment Support Raytheon Completes Negotiations Billion Dollar Contract For JLENS Development
AEROSPACE USGS Examines Environmental Impacts Of Aircraft De-Icers China Gives Rare Glimpse Of Homegrown Jet Fighter IATA Gives Cautious Welcome To EU Emissions Trading Plan EU Proposes CO2 Emission Quotas For Airlines	UAV NEWS Enhanced Fire Scout Makes Flight Debut Israel Developing Massive New Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Boeing Provides ScanEagle UAV to Australian Army Techsphere Structures Licensing Agreement With Global Skyship Industries
IRAQ WARS A Recipe For Greater Disaster Assessing The Bush Strategy Version 2007 Looking Ahead In Iraq An Admiral For Iraq	MILTECH Pentagon Report Warns Canadian Coins Bugged Raytheon Wins Silent Knight Radar Development Contract Recon Optical Awarded Contract For Stabilized Remotely Operated Weapon Systems Northrop Grumman Airborne Signals Intelligence Payload Takes To Air On First U-2 Flight

The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement