Aerojet, a GenCorp (NYSE:GY) company, announced today that it has conducted a successful burst test and re-qualification of the upgraded Atlas V Solid Rocket Motor composite case. The test took place at Aerojet’s test facility in Rancho Cordova, Calif.
The Pre-Planned Product Improvement (P3I) motor case design upgrade qualifies an environmentally friendly replacement resin system and two improved motor case design features which increase reliability and reduce production costs by incorporating manufacturing efficiencies. Early test data and high speed video results of the structural burst test indicate the case performed within predictions.
“The successful burst test builds on the reputation of the Atlas V program,” said Aerojet’s Pete Cova, executive director, Solid Rocket Motor Space Programs. “We are pleased with the performance of the upgraded case design and recognize the collaborative effort shared between Aerojet and our customers, United Launch Alliance, NASA, USAF and the Aerospace Corporation. The upgraded motor case design translates into improved reliability, and allows Aerojet to deliver sustainable and affordable solid rocket motors for the Atlas V vehicle.”
Aerojet is a world-recognized aerospace and defense leader principally serving the missile and space propulsion, defense and armaments markets. GenCorp is a leading technology-based manufacturer of aerospace and defense products and systems with a real estate segment that includes activities related to the entitlement, sale, and leasing of the company’s excess real estate assets. Additional information about Aerojet and GenCorp can be obtained by visiting the companies’ Web sites at http://www.aerojet.com/ and http://www.gencorp.com/.
