The Missile Defense Agency has ordered 14 Standard Missile-3 Block 1B Throttling Divert and Attitude Control System (TDACS) this summer is to keep supplier Aerojet’s [GY] production processes moving, according to an agency spokesman.
MDA spokesman Richard Lehner said recently in an email Aerojet has been approved to build more TDACS motors for the SM-3 Block IB, but the “real” rate production decision isn’t until next year. Lehner said the agency’s order of the Block 1B TDACS is designed to keep Aerojet’s production ready for when MDA gets the regularly-planned acquisition decision next year.
“This is a unique situation to only tide things over until the real milestone-like decision next year,” Lehner said. “This performance of the 1B has been outstanding and it is necessary to keep the production processes warm while we complete flight, ground and qualification tests.”
Lehner said MDA has at least two more full TDACS qualification tests planned to inform the maturity and suitability (hot, cold, vibration, rough handing, moisture) over the expected lifetime. He said MDA has a third planned as backup.
Lehner said Aerojet has also been approved to enter the critical design review (CDR) phase for Block IIA, adding the propulsion stack and system/kinetic warhead CDRs are planned for 2013. Aerojet Vice President for Missile Defense and Strategic Systems Michael Bright said recently in a phone interview the company will complete the Block IIA CDR in the summer of 2013.
SM-3 prime contractor Raytheon [RTN] completed its own Block IIA preliminary design review (PDR) in December. Each company performs its own PDRs and CDRs.
Raytheon is developing all variants of SM-3 (Blocks IA, IB and IIA) as part of MDA’s sea-based Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) system. Lockheed Martin [LMT] provides the combat system.
Aerojet is a subsidiary of GenCorp.