A low-cost 6.7cm (2.75in) rocket motor has been developed by Thiokol Propulsion, a division of Cordant Technologies.
This is the first rocket motor to feature a composite case and it is now under contract to the US Army to be tested and qualified for airworthiness on the Boeing AH-64 Apache helicopter.
The motor was originally developed as a replacement for the Mk 66 rocket motor used in the Hydra 70 tactical missile system.
The company says the new motor provides "-increased insensitive munitions capability and flexibility to meet more than just mission requirements of the Hydra 70 system".
Six of the motors, with Hydra M-255 flechette warheads were fired from an Avenger ground launcher vehicle during US Army trials in January. "These targets successfully proved the compatibility between the Hydra warhead and the Thiokol motor," says the company.
Source: Flight Daily News
