ATK Achieves Success in MRM-KE Test

Released on Monday, May 01, 2006

Alliant Techsystems announced today that it has successfully demonstrated maneuverability of its guided Mid Range Munition Kinetic Energy (MRM-KE) precision projectile. The test took place at the Yuma Proving Grounds, Yuma Arizona.

ATK fired the round from an M1 Abrams main battle tank. After exiting the barrel, the rocket motor ignited to propel the round to a speed of approximately Mach 4. During the test flight, the projectile performed a series of pre-programmed maneuvers designed to assess its agility in a high Mach regime. All test objectives were achieved. In addition to maneuvering, the round achieved its range target of more than five and one half miles.

ATK's unique projectile design employs a number of embedded thrusters that give it significant maneuvering capability at high speeds. At the same time, by limiting the number of moving parts, the round is capable of surviving the significant G-forces associated with gun-launched projectiles. The MRM-KE projectile will provide the U.S. Army with an advanced weapon system designed to defeat enemy targets at significant stand-off ranges.

ATK will use the test data from this successful flight to continue development of the program. The company plans to perform a first-ever guided and boosted test flight of its MRM-KE later this year.

The MRM program is jointly developed and managed by Army Research and Development Command (ARDEC) and the Office of the Project Manager � Maneuver Ammunition Systems (OPM-MAS) at Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey.