The US Air Force (USAF) and ATK have tested a new Large Class Stage III solid rocket motor at the Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC) in Tennessee, US.
The test was conducted in a vacuum chamber which was designed to simulate upper atmospheric conditions.
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The static fire results proved the motor’s performance and the preliminary data that met the required objectives will be used for the development of next-generation systems.
The 92-inch diameter Stage III motor designed to ignite at altitudes in excess of 85,000 feet features the Propulsion Application Program and Integrated High Payoff Rocket Propulsion Technology.
The Stage III motors could be used to support multiple missions, such as conventional strike missile and operationally responsive space.
The Large Class Stage III programme is funded under the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Demonstration / Validation Propulsion Applications Programme.
