LockMart-Developed Boost Vehicle-Plus Program Completes Initial Qualification Of ATK ORBUS 1A

MISSILE DEFENSE

BV+ is one of two booster designs for GMD interceptors, a dual approach that assures capability and flexibility in the event of an enemy ballistic missile launch.

Denver CO (SPX) Sep 29, 2005
Lockheed Martin announced Wednesday that the first phase of qualification testing at Alliant Techsystems has been successfully completed for the ORBUS 1A, the second- and third-stage solid rocket motor for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency's Boost Vehicle-Plus (BV+) program.

The ORBUS 1A motor supplied by ATK was successfully fired this month one week ahead of baseline schedule. Preliminary results from the static test performed at ATK's Elkton, Md., facility indicate that the motor met all pre-test performance requirements.

Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company was selected as the BV+ subcontractor in 2003 by Boeing, the MDA's Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) prime contractor. In January 2004 the BV+ booster was validated with a successful first flight.

BV+ is one of two booster designs for GMD interceptors, a dual approach that assures capability and flexibility in the event of an enemy ballistic missile launch.

The booster can be deployed as a long-range interceptor in Alaska, California, or a future site as needed for defense against a long-range ballistic missile. The BV+ booster will carry an exoatmospheric kill vehicle toward a missile's predicted location in space to destroy it through force of impact.

In 2004, Lockheed Martin competitively selected ATK as its supplier for BV+ stage-two and stage-three solid rocket motors to replace previous supplier Pratt & Whitney, which exited the solid rocket motor business.

Final ORBUS 1A qualification testing is scheduled for late 2005 and will involve at-altitude static firing. BV+ delivery activities will resume this year with ATK beginning motor deliveries early in 2006.

"Teamwork with ATK, Lockheed Martin and our Boeing GMD customer along with solid engineering and attention to mission success assured a smooth transition to ATK from Pratt & Whitney and made this test firing a resounding success," said Russell Reavis, vice president, Targets & Boost Vehicles, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company.

"BV+ is now just months away from returning to vehicle assembly and delivery for the Missile Defense Agency's Ground-based Midcourse Defense system."

"We are on plan and meeting all milestones to complete production of the five deployment-configuration boosters and three integrated flight test vehicles with ATK-supplied ORBUS 1A motors," said Roger Rieger, director, Boost Vehicle-Plus & Long Range Target Programs, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company.

Three BV+ boosters completed between 2003 and 2004 with the Pratt & Whitney second- and third-stage solid rocket motors will be retrofitted with the ATK motors.

Lockheed Martin performs BV+ program management, engineering and production at its facilities in Denver, Colo., Sunnyvale, Calif., and Courtland, Ala.

SPACEWAR

Pentagon: Test Of Alaska Missile Defense Radar Is Successful

Washington (AFP) Sep 26, 2005
The Pentagon's said Monday it successfully tested an upgraded surveillance radar in Alaska for the first time as part of a national missile defense system.

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2016 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement All images and articles appearing on Space Media Network have been edited or digitally altered in some way. Any requests to remove copyright material will be acted upon in a timely and appropriate manner. Any attempt to extort money from Space Media Network will be ignored and reported to Australian Law Enforcement Agencies as a potential case of financial fraud involving the use of a telephonic carriage device or postal service.