ATK Rocket Motors Support Successful Flight Demonstrations of Precision Attack Missile

MINNEAPOLIS, Oct. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) has successfully demonstrated an innovative propulsion system for the Non Line-of-Sight Launch System (NLOS-LS) Precision Attack Missile (PAM). Three successful tests have been conducted at the White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. ATK is under contract to Raytheon (NYSE: RTN) Missile Systems for the system design and development (SDD) phase of the program.

The Non Line-of-Sight Launch System provides precision fires for the Army's Future Combat Systems and the Navy's Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). It is platform-independent, self-contained and compatible with current and future command and control systems. NLOS-LS comprises the container launch unit (CLU) and a precision attack missile (PAM) all-up-round (AUR). NLOS-LS is one of the first systems developed for the Army's Future Combat System and is planned for initial fielding in 2011. The U.S. Army currently plans to procure more than 25,000 NLOS-LS PAM missiles. The missiles will be primarily used against moving as well as stationary targets, both ground and at sea.

The successful Controlled Test Vehicle (CTV) missile flight tests included ATK rocket motors that feature the latest innovations in rocket motor design to meet insensitive munitions requirements. ATK has combined a set of composite and energetic technologies into a propulsion system that maintains the desired high energy ballistic performance, while at the same time improving the overall propulsion system insensitive munitions response to potential battlefield stimuli.

During the tests, the missile demonstrated safe egress from the container launch unit (CLU), transitioned to a steady, controlled flight through the boost and sustain phases, and performed preplanned aerodynamic maneuvers. The success of the CTV tests set the stage for beginning guided flight test, to further validate system level maturity.

"We are very pleased to be part of the U.S. Army's NLOS-LS PAM program," said Bart Olson, Vice President and General Manager of ATK's Tactical Propulsion and Controls Division. "The successful tests validated a breakthrough technology that will give the warfighter access to affordable and reliable, high-performance propulsion systems that offer additional safety for the user because of the insensitive munitions characteristics."

The PAM is a 7-inch diameter, 60-inch long, 118-pound, modular missile that is effective against moving and stationary targets. The PAM has a 40-kilometer maximum range and uses a GPS/inertial navigation system to guide to the target area. Once in the target area, the PAM uses its dual mode uncooled imaging infrared (UCIIR)/semi-active laser (SAL) seeker to acquire and perform terminal guidance on high-value targets. In addition, a GPS/inertial mission can also be executed to deliver the PAM's warhead to a requested target position. Following launch, targeting data can be updated (in-flight target updates [IFTU]) and sent to the missile via PAM's onboard radio system. The missile will be deployed from the platform independent multi-missile Container Launch Unit (CLU) which can house up to fifteen missiles.

Source: ATK Rocket Motors Support Successful Flight Demonstrations of Non Line-of-Sight Launch System (NLOS-LS) Precision Attack Missile (PAM)