A Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM) Integrated Product Team (IPT) composed of the U.S. Navy Strategic Systems Programs, Lockheed Martin Space Systems & Missiles & Space Operations, Alliant TechSystems and the Thiokol Corp., recently conducted its third consecutive successful static-fire test of a demonstration solid rocket motor that used low-cost commercial technology and manufacturing methods.
The test firing, conducted at the Naval Weapons Center, China Lake, CA, represents a growing trend in the defense industry to use commercial components and processes to drive down the cost of defense products and equipment.
Program officials estimate the low-cost motor chamber, propellant and nozzle components used in this test represent a 50-percent reduction in the direct cost relative to those of the comparable Trident II D5 third stage rocket motor.
“This motor demonstration was another follow-on to several technology evaluation projects conducted since 1994 where lower cost designs, materials, components and fabrication methods were identified and demonstrated for potential application to submarine launched ballistic missile (SLBM) solid rocket motors,” said Andy Baldi, Space Systems director of FBM propulsion.
“The primary objective of these low-cost projects is to make economical alternatives available for future FBM boost motors,” he added.
The half-cost, Trident II D5 third stage-size demonstration motor utilized a commercial space-launch vehicle propellant grain; a co-cured machine-wound elastomeric insulator and composite prepreg for the insulated chamber. Nozzle components utilized Rayon-free, low-cost materials and labor saving, net-molding processing.
The motor burned for its full duration and its ballistic performance met pre-test performance predictions. The FBM propulsion IPT will continue its initiatives to investigate solid rocket motor changes that will simplify the design, reduce fabrication complexity and leverage technology advances from the commercial space launch industry to make SLBM solid rocket motors more affordable.
