Orbital ATK, Inc. (OA), a global leader in aerospace and defense technologies, announced today the Missile Defense Agency’s successful tests of its enhanced MK 136 Third Stage Rocket Motor (TSRM) nozzle on the Raytheon Standard Missile (SM)-3 Block IB in Controlled Test Vehicles (CTVs)-01a/02. These flight tests were conducted on May 25 and 26, 2016, respectively, at the Pacific Missile Range Facility. The missiles were launched from a U.S. Navy Aegis destroyer off the coast of Kauai, Hawaii.
The primary objective of the flight tests was to demonstrate Orbital ATK’s enhanced TSRM nozzle, which improves performance of the SM-3 Block IB missile in a range of flight scenarios. The new nozzle features improvements to increase the robustness of the design across the operating environment. The two successful flight tests provided additional validation of the improved TSRM nozzle, and confirmed results seen in successful full-scale ground tests at Orbital ATK’s facility in Elkton, Maryland, and at the Air Force Rocket Laboratory test facility on Edwards Air Force Base.
“Orbital ATK continues to work with its partners on the SM-3 team to successfully evolve the most advanced solid rocket subsystem ever fielded,” said Pat Nolan, Vice President and General Manager of Orbital ATK’s Missile Products division of the Defense Systems Group. “These successful tests demonstrate our ongoing commitment to the SM-3 program and ensure we have a capable and reliable system for the defense of our nation and allies.”
Orbital ATK supplies the TSRM to SM-3 prime contractor Raytheon Company. The TSRM has a unique combination of capabilities that permits the SM-3 Block IB guided missile to address a broad range of threats as it intercepts and destroys the in-bound threat. Multiple propellant grains allow for varied inter-pulse delays, while a thrust vector control nozzle and an attitude control system ensure that the TSRM optimizes the trajectory prior to separation of the kill vehicle for final intercept.
Orbital ATK’s Defense Systems Group is an industry leader in providing innovative and affordable precision and strike weapons, advanced propulsion and hypersonics, missile components across air-, sea- and land-based systems, ammunition and related energetic products.
About Orbital ATK
Orbital ATK is a global leader in aerospace and defense technologies. The company designs, builds and delivers space, defense and aviation systems for customers around the world, both as a prime contractor and merchant supplier. Its main products include launch vehicles and related propulsion systems; missile products, subsystems and defense electronics; precision weapons, armament systems and ammunition; satellites and associated space components and services; and advanced aerospace structures. Headquartered in Dulles, Virginia, Orbital ATK employs approximately 12,000 people in 18 states across the United States and in several international locations. For more information, visit www.orbitalatk.com.
