ATK Delivers First Minuteman III Motor Set Ahead Of Schedule

NUKEWARS

The nightstreak of a Minuteman III

Minneapolis MN (SPX) Aug 17, 2004
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 on June 23.

The US 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."

NUKEWARS

Updating The Code For Doomsday

by Airman 1st Class Katie Booher for Air Force News
Minot AFB ND (AFN) Aug 11, 2004
For the better part of a year, the 91st Space Wing's intercontinental ballistic missiles sit poised and waiting in stony silence ready to launch at a moment's notice.

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.