GenCorp Aerojet won an $8.5 million contract to provide attitude control systems for the National Missile Defense first stage booster rocket. Announced by the Boeing Company, the contract will provide a flight-qualified system in less than six months, with additional units to be supplied over the next year to support the NMD flight test program.
Aerojet's solid propulsion attitude control system uses technology developed over the past several years on Ballistic Missile Defense Organization contracts for Navy Theater Wide and the Atmospheric Interceptor Technology programs.
"We are proud to join the Boeing team in providing the hardware and expertise necessary to enable the missile system to defend the nation against hostile attack," said Carl Fischer, Aerojet Senior Vice President, Electronics and Weapon Systems. "This is the first step in demonstrating the viability of implementing our controllable solid technology in a fielded system."
The attitude control system will use Aerojet's patented controllable solid pintle technology, which provides a lightweight, impulse efficient design combined with state-of-the-art controls that provide the flexibility necessary for an evolving flight test program.
The contract effort requires delivery of multiple flight units in less than 12 months; the first unit will be delivered in September, 1999. Not included in this contract value is the option for additional flight test units.
Aerojet, a leader in propulsion, electronics and weapon systems, and fine chemicals, is a segment of GenCorp, a technology-driven company with strong positions in polymer products, automotive, and aerospace and defense industries.
