Orbital ATK and AMRDEC: Additive Manufacturing for Rocket Motors

As part of the Army’s Missile Science and Technology Enterprise objectives, Orbital ATK and AMRDEC have developed a prototype of motor built using Additive Manufacturing, to demonstrate and mature new and emerging materials technologies to enhance system effectiveness and achieve insensitive munitions compliance for next generation weapons.

“Orbital ATK has been very successful in taking additive manufacturing out of the academic world and incorporating it into our industrial design and operations,” said Pat Nolan, Vice President and General Manager for Orbital ATK’s Missile Products Division, part of the Defense Systems Group. “Our goal is not just to create industry firsts, but to create practical, reliable solutions that increase our products’ effectiveness while reducing the time it takes to get them into the field.”

The motor was developed in partnership with the AMRDEC (U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center) at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. It incorporates leading-edge materials technologies designed to improve the performance and safety of a next generation anti-tank missile system. The prototype boost motors featured a high strength graphite epoxy composite case, a reduced sensitivity minimum signature rocket propellant, and 3-D printed components. Assembly and testing of the prototype motors was conducted at Orbital ATK’s Tactical Propulsion and Ordnance facility in Rocket Center, WV. The test firings successfully validated boost motor and component performance across the full operational temperature range, closely matching pre-test predictions and meeting all test objectives.