Aerojet's Advanced Third Stage Technology Demonstration Motor Successfully Tested by Air Force

SACRAMENTO, Calif., March 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Aerojet, a GenCorp (NYSE: GY) company, and the U.S. Air Force conducted a successful static test of Aerojet's Advanced Third Stage (A3S) technology demonstration motor in support of the U.S. Family of Motors for military and commercial applications.

The A3S motor is being developed on the Propulsion Application Program (PAP) under contract to the 526th ICBM Systems Group at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. The test was conducted at altitude conditions by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.

Aerojet's A3S technology demonstration motor design incorporates numerous advanced technologies and materials selected in Phase I of the program and are being demonstrated via a Super BATES motor test in the initial portion of Phase II. The program's primary goal is to develop a new generation of ICBM-sized motors with increased propulsion performance and lower manufacturing and operational costs. In order to meet these goals, the A3S technology demonstration motor consists of an advanced carbon-carbon exit cone assembled using environmentally friendly materials and a high energy solid propellant that was mixed and cast at Aerojet's Sacramento, Calif. facility.

During the static firing, the A3S technology demonstration motor achieved a peak thrust of more than 33,000 lbf. Initial post-test inspection indicates that all components functioned as designed and performance predictions were on target. The Air Force and Aerojet are now preparing for development of a full-scale A3S motor for testing in a simulated altitude static test. This altitude test will fully validate motor performance and will be a precursor for potential flight testing.

"The successful A3S test represents the fourth strategic technology motor test conducted by Aerojet in the past 12 months," said Mark Kaufman, executive director of Strategic Programs at Aerojet. "We believe the technologies, materials, and modes of manufacture will not only serve future applications on Air Force Strategic Strike missile architecture, but applications for the general SRM industrial base as a whole."

Aerojet is a world-recognized aerospace and defense leader principally serving the missile and space propulsion, defense and armaments markets. GenCorp is a leading technology-based manufacturer of aerospace and defense products and systems with a real estate segment that includes activities related to the entitlement, sale, and leasing of the company's excess real estate assets. Additional information about Aerojet and GenCorp can be obtained by visiting the companies' Web sites at http://www.Aerojet.com and http://www.GenCorp.com.

SOURCE Aerojet