ATK and Lockheed Martin Complete Booster System Demonstration for Proposed U.S. Navy Intermediate-Range Missile
Lockheed Martin and Alliant Techsystems have successfully completed the Submarine Launched Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (SLIRBM) Booster System Demonstration for the U.S. Navy. The team successfully met all technical, cost and schedule objectives, demonstrating the availability of this near-term, affordable solution for prompt global strike.The team has delivered the final missile system trade study to the Navy, completing the booster system demonstration contract, the first phase in a low-risk research and development path toward a deployable system. Potential follow-on phases could include flight test demonstrations with launcher integration and underwater launch tests. In the booster system demonstration, Lockheed Martin and ATK demonstrated cost-effective, reliable and producible solid-propellant Rocket motor technologies for a proposed conventional missile that would travel at supersonic speed to reach intermediate-range targets within 15 minutes. The proposed missile would be deployed on Ohio-class SSGN guided-missile submarines, offering the war fighter an extremely accurate, no-notice prompt global strike capability from an undetectable, highly mobile platform that is on station around the clock. 'Our team not only developed and tested the motors in record time, but also identified cost-reduction strategies for motor design and operation with no sacrifice in performance,' said Tory Bruno, vice president, Strategic Missile Programs, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company. 'This demonstration gives the Navy an important foundation for further development of this potential new capability.' The development, manufacturing and successful testing of this two-rocket-motor propulsion subsystem took place in just over a year and showed significant production savings, demonstrating a quick and affordable responseto a military need. 'As hostile threats grow, these studies are critical in helping our Nation's military develop the next-generation high speed strike weapons systems,' said Charlie Precourt, vice president, Advanced Strategic Programs, ATK Launch Systems Group. 'The SLIRBM demonstration validated that development for this missile can be streamlined, reducing development time and costs to provide an affordable weapon - we look forward to continuing this cooperation with the U.S. Navy.' (Picture ATK/Lockheed Martin) |
