ATK Delivers First Minuteman III Motor Set Ahead of Schedule
ATK Technical Expertise and Available Capacity Cited for Quick Turn Around of the Minuteman III Program
Aug 16, 2004
Minneapolis, August 16, 2004 – ATK (NYSE: ATK) has delivered the first ship set of second and third stage rocket motors for the Minuteman III Propulsion Replacement Program (PRP) more than two weeks ahead of schedule. The ship set, targeted for delivery by July 9, was delivered to ICBM prime contractor Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) on June 23.
The U.S. Air Force and Northrop Grumman provided qualification certification to ATK on June 16, after the company completed a Functional Configuration Audit verifying that the qualification motors met all technical requirements. Qualification consisted of subscale and full-scale propellant mixes culminating in the static firing of three qualification motors. The first motor tested was a second stage fired in California at sea level, while a set of second and third stage motors were tested at simulated altitude in a vacuum chamber at the Arnold Engineering Development Center in Tullahoma, Tenn. All test objectives were achieved.
John Sucher, Vice President of Strategic and Commercial Programs, said the qualification process was concluded in record time, allowing the early delivery of the first production ship set that met all quality standards.
"This accomplishment is yet another demonstration of why ATK is the world’s leading producer of solid rocket motors," said Sucher. "ATK’s unmatched technical expertise, and commitment to quality and safety, combined with the state of the art mixing and casting facilities allowed us to return the PRP program to production status ahead of schedule."
ATK is a $2.4 billion advanced weapons and space systems company employing 13,100 people in 23 states. News and information can be found on the Internet at www.atk.com.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
