In April 2016, one open air functional test of an igniter assembly and six full scale motor functional tests were successfully conducted at WDI static test facilities on Redstone Arsenal. The open air test was performed as a system check, ensuring th...
REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. (June 23, 2016) -- The U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center is working with the missile community to remanufacture used rocket igniters to provide Soldier training and practice rockets for the Army.
The Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System, or GMLRS, is the Army's primary precision strike artillery weapon. To conduct the proper training for munitions handling, loading and fire control systems, the Army uses a GMLRS training round, the Low Cost Reduced Range Practice Rocket.
The LCRRPR rounds are built by a commercial supplier, but as the Army's training needs continue to grow, the Precision Fires Rocket and Missile Systems Project Office is investigating ways to increase production capacity and reduce product cost.
PFRMS has partnered with AMRDEC's Weapons Development and Integration Directorate, Letterkenny Munition Center and Crane Army Ammunition Activity to remanufacture and reassemble used rocket igniters to support the production of LCRRPR practice rockets.
WDI's Missile Sustainment Chief Robert Little said there could be a cost-effective solution to provide additional practice rounds for training in the Army.
"The most time consuming element of manufacture for these units is the electrical connector and initiator assembly," Little said. "If we are successful in recovering and reusing these, it would allow the Army to salvage an estimated 75,000 used Multiple Launch Rocket System M26 igniters that would otherwise be demilitarized."
During the LCRRPR Alternative Source Igniter Proof of Concept program, 12 igniters were remanufactured at CAAA and sent to WDI for testing. Non-destructive tests and inspections were performed to ensure consistency of manufacturing to specification requirements. This included a chemical analysis of the igniter's pyrotechnic compound, Magnesium Teflon Viton.
In April, one open air functional test of an igniter assembly and six full-scale motor functional tests were successfully conducted at WDI static test facilities on Redstone Arsenal. The open air test was performed as a system check, ensuring the igniter would exhibit proper timing prior to full motor functional test. The testing proved remanufactured igniters could successfully ignite LCRRPR motors with no abnormalities. Pressure and thrust were recorded for the motors to evaluate igniter and motor performance against requirements.
"The Proof of Concept phase has successfully demonstrated feasibility for use," said Justin Grissim, mechanical engineer and technical lead for the project. "The next phase of the effort is to conduct a detailed qualification program, in which the remanufactured igniters will be subject to rigorous environmental conditioning and functional test, meant to simulate realistic field deployment."
"This program has the potential to save the government the cost and effort of demilitarizing the hardware and provide a reliable alternate source of supply in training rounds for Soldiers," added Little.
The program is scheduled to conduct the qualification phase in late 2016. This will include test firing at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico.
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The U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center is part of the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, which has the mission to ensure decisive overmatch for unified land operations to empower the Army, the joint warfighter and our nation. RDECOM is a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Materiel Command.
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