ATK and Honeywell have successfully completed a critical hot-fire test of an ATK solid Divert and Attitude Control System (DACS) employing a modified valve design. DACS technology is used to control the yaw, pitch, and roll of Missile Defense Agency anti-missile warheads.
The DACS performed a simulated mission that included multi-pulse operations designed to maintain the kill vehicle’s energy and lethality during in-flight maneuvers. All test objectives were met.
Bart Olson, president, ATK Elkton, said the solid DACS test confirms ATK’s leadership position in advanced missile defense technologies.
“ATK looks forward to the deployment of a robust anti-missile shield and is proud of its contribution to the nation’s missile defense programs,” said Olson. “Solid DACS technology will help interceptor missiles achieve mission success.”
“The valve design includes a special gas divert disk that increases the warhead’s energy for in-flight maneuvers on the flight intercept path,” said Adriane Brown, Vice President & General Manager, Honeywell Engines, Systems and Accessories. “The robust design enables higher energy requirements for warhead operation and continues our long history of advanced technologies for space, missile, and marine valves.”
Honeywell designed and fabricated the valves for ATK, the DACS integrator. Additional static tests will be conducted to validate the design for potential application in system flight tests early next year.
