SACRAMENTO, Calif., Sept. 16, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aerojet Rocketdyne, a GenCorp (NYSE:GY) company, today introduced a new facet of its business, the "Rocket ShopSM" Defense Advanced Programs.
"Rocket Shop is the innovation arm of Aerojet Rocketdyne, specifically designed and staffed to identify unique defense customer solutions and rapidly mature those products from concept to demonstration," said Tyler Evans, Aerojet Rocketdyne vice president, Rocket ShopSM Defense Advanced Programs, speaking to reporters at the Air Force Association's Air & Space Conference held this week in National Harbor, Maryland. "With unmatched capabilities from the combined Aerojet and Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne companies, and a vision to 'Solve Tomorrow's Toughest Problems Today,' Rocket ShopSM utilizes a highly-specialized workforce and state-of-the-art processes such as rapid prototyping and additive manufacturing to quickly and affordably develop new products that increase our national security."
Aerojet Rocketdyne's Rocket ShopSM currently has dedicated facilities in Sacramento and Los Angeles, California, and in Huntsville, Alabama, as well as footprints in West Palm Beach, Florida, and Gainesville and Culpeper, Virginia. These sites handle design, fabrication, assembly and testing functions for technology demonstration and risk reduction efforts. Some of the advanced technologies managed through Rocket ShopSM include hypersonics, divert and attitude control systems, low-cost strategic launch and advanced solid and liquid propellants.
Earlier this year, Rocket ShopSM helped develop a large class (92") second stage motor for the U.S. Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center that was successfully tested in early summer. Additionally this year, Rocket ShopSM demonstrated successful supersonic flight under tactical operating conditions using its advanced variable flow ducted rocket (VFDR) ramjet technology.
Most recently, Rocket ShopSM developed the Low Earth Orbit (LEO)-46 solid rocket motor which was successfully hot-fire tested last month as part of the Low Earth Orbiting Nanosatellite Integrated Defense Autonomous System (LEONIDAS) program.
This was the third in a series of successful LEO motor ground test demonstrations which included Aerojet Rocketdyne's LEO-7 second stage motor and LEO-1 third stage motor, successfully tested in August 2012 and September 2013, respectively. The completed flight motor set will support the ORS-4 mission, sponsored by the Operationally Responsive Space Office, which will demonstrate first flight of the Super Strypi low-cost, small launch system. Super Strypi cuts costs using proven sounding rocket methods including spin stabilized flight, a new rail launcher and the three new solid rocket motors. The ORS-4 mission will launch from Kauai, Hawaii, carrying the University of Hawaii/Hawaii Space Flight Laboratory's HiakaSat and 12 CubeSats. This maiden flight will represent the largest propulsion system ever launched from a rail system.
Aerojet Rocketdyne is a world-recognized aerospace and defense leader providing propulsion and energetics to the space, missile defense and strategic systems, tactical systems and armaments areas, in support of domestic and international markets. GenCorp is a diversified company that provides innovative solutions that create value for its customers in the aerospace and defense, and real estate markets. Additional information about Aerojet Rocketdyne and GenCorp can be obtained by visiting the companies' websites at www.Rocket.com and www.GenCorp.com.