A company based in Texas has completed the first flight test of a 3D printed hybrid rocket engine system. The flight test named GMLRS class Firehawk analog (GFA) showed direction stability and push out.
The new Firehawk Aerospace system is part of its current phase -iii -Sbir contract with the Army Applications Laboratory (AAL).
After the start of a specially built mobile platform, the company stated that the hybrid rocket system reached a vertical rise of over 18,000 feet, which exceeded the speed of sound.
Hybrid drive systems paired with advanced additive production
“This milestone proves that hybrid drive systems in combination with advanced add -on add -off have a real place in the future of tactical systems”, Edwards, CEO, Firehawk Aerospace become.
“In order to design, develop and start the first GMLRS form factor of hybrid drive system, it underlines the strength and innovation of our technical team and the scalability of our technology.”
The leading developer and manufacturer of advanced energetics systems for defense applications claimed that the flight test enables adaptability, affordability and quick production through hybrid engines and additive production.
Flight demonstrations as part of the eAL contract
According to a press release, the GFA test is the first in a series of flight demonstrations as part of the eAL contract. Firehawk will next examine the Javelin class and Stinger class analogue, which are designed as a drop-in-solid rocket motor replacement for existing DOD weapon systems.
The company claims that it transforms the development, production and use of solid -state rocket engines. The shift of several weeks to hours of production cycles, combined with a mobile approach, increases strength sustainability due to the rapid global provision in controversial or remote environments and the guarantee of a resilient supply controlled by the USA.
The company carried out 58 hot fire tests for both hybrid and solid rocket engines and a hybrid flight test.
Accelerating the development of the next generation hybrid rocket engines
Firehawk was recently awarded a two-year, determined contract for $ 4.9 million from the US Air Force Test Center to support the initiatives of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) in order to accelerate the development of next generation hybrid rocket engines, including solid and liquid rocket engine components, additive manufacturing processes as well as Model and simulation tools for strategic and tactical rocket engine.
“Innovative, agile and inexpensive drive is crucial for maintaining the technological American advantage in view of the developing threats,” said Michael Stark, President of Firehawk Aerospace.
“Our transformative approach to the production of drift agents will bring scalable, customizable and high -performance systems in AFRL that will influence the future of defense.”
The company has promoted the next generation of defense systems with solid rocket engines, which are operated by Additions manufacturer fuel.
Months ago, Firehawk was selected by Afwerx, the innovation low of the Air Force department, and driven by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) for an award “Small Business Innovation Research) in Phase II.
The contract of USD 1.25 million accelerates the development of the next generation by the company, the solutions to Schelf -stable flours and improves its skills for critical national defense applications.