Aerojet Rocketdyne tests new solid rocket motor
Aerojet Rocketdyne has test fired a new solid rocket motor at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) at Edwards Air Force Base in California.
The rockets, part of the company’s advanced tactical booster programme, were designed and fabricated by Aerojet Rocketdyne for AFRL under a contract aimed at developing advanced booster technologies for use on future vehicles.
The motor that completed two successful hot-fire tests had been conditioned to mimic extreme cold- and hot-soak conditions for air-launch application. The solid rocket motor will be used to accelerate a vehicle during its initial phase of flight. The motors were tested at extreme temperatures to verify they will perform as expected across the full range of anticipated operational conditions.
Eileen Drake, CEO and president, Aerojet Rocketdyne, said: ‘Aerojet Rocketdyne has been the leading supplier of missile technology for decades and pioneered the development of liquid-fuelled hypersonic propulsion systems.
‘Data from these tests will be used to confirm our ballistic, thermal, structural and ignition models as we develop the next generation operational booster rocket motor.’
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