Aerojet Rocketdyne, a GenCorp (GY) company, announced today that it has been awarded a contract under the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center Propulsion Applications Program (PAP) to demonstrate a Medium Class Stage III motor with propulsion technologies that are applicable to multiple future common strategic propulsion systems.
The contract includes development, fabrication and demonstration of a full-scale motor that is designed to replace the aging SR-73 third stage motors in the current Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile. A full scale static test of the motor including thrust termination demonstration is planned.
“This is an important win for Aerojet Rocketdyne,” said Aerojet Rocketdyne Vice President of Missile Defense and Strategic Systems, Michael Bright. “It helps maintain critical industrial base capability in solid rocket motor design and development, and provides a cost competitive strategy to sustain the aging Minuteman III missile.”
Over the last decade, Aerojet Rocketdyne and the Air Force (AF) have successfully demonstrated the concept of Minuteman III modernization using sustainable, affordable propulsion through prior PAP contract activities. This new program will leverage these prior accomplishments to provide a direct replacement solution option for the currently fielded Minuteman III stage III motors. The program will also help sustain the U.S. solid rocket motor industrial base, by employing common, domestically sourced components and materials, and a carbon fiber/resin system for the composite case. Work will be performed at Aerojet Rocketdyne’s facilities in Sacramento, Calif.; Clearfield, Utah, and Gainesville, Va.
The primary objective of PAP is to provide a family of affordable, sustainable motors that can support a wide range of potential AF solutions, including modernizing or replacing Minuteman III. Aerojet Rocketdyne’s approach also is applicable to other critical Department of Defense missions such as increased-realism threat targets for the Missile Defense Agency’s missile defense systems testing.
Aerojet Rocketdyne is a world-recognized aerospace and defense leader providing propulsion and energetics to the space, missile defense and strategic systems, tactical systems and armaments areas, in support of domestic and international markets. GenCorp is a diversified company that provides innovative solutions that create value for its customers in the aerospace and defense, energy and real estate markets. Additional information about Aerojet Rocketdyne and GenCorp can be obtained by visiting the companies’ websites at www.Rocket.com and www.GenCorp.com.
Contact:
Glenn Mahone, Aerojet Rocketdyne, 202-302-9941
Glenn.Mahone@Rocket.com
Erin Dick, Aerojet Rocketdyne, 818-586-4977
Erin.Dick@Rocket.com
