Aerojet [GY] yesterday announced it recently completed a successful full-duration development test firing of its innovative Axial HAN Thruster for the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and Raytheon‘s [RTN] Net-Centric Airborne Defense Element (NCADE) program.
NCADE is an air-launched weapon system designed to engage short- and medium-range ballistic missiles in the boost and ascent phase of flight. The system provides an interim or near-term solution to boost or ascent phase threats, and is based on the Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) that adds proven seeker technology from Raytheon.
Aerojet’s spiral development, second-stage propulsion system uses an advanced Hydroxylammonium nitrate (HAN) monopropellant thruster, providing higher performance and high- density packaging to ultimately power lighter, higher-velocity missiles.
HAN is less toxic and easier to handle than other propellants and could eventually allow safe shipboard operation.
The technology signifies an important advancement in missile defense propulsion technology and this success builds on thruster and propellant technology that has been developed collaboratively between Aerojet and USAF Air Force Research Laboratory.
Aerojet’s recent fast-paced design, build and test program has provided valuable risk reduction for the Axial Thruster and is widely recognized as a key advancement in fielding non-toxic propulsion systems.
The challenge in introducing new rocket propellant is to produce stable and controllable combustion, the company said.
Aerojet achieved very stable combustion of HAN which will enable higher performance and better packaging.
“Aerojet overcame significant technical challenges in this thruster development program,” said Dick Bregard, Aerojet vice president of Defense Programs. “This testing opens a new range of possibilities for rocket engines using non-toxic, high performance propellants. The monopropellant technology offers significant simplification and higher performance compared to existing systems.”
The successful test program provides the hot fire data needed to develop new flight-weight designs and fabricate next generation axial and divert thrusters for NCADE, and a variety of other MDA and potential space flight applications.