General Dynamis (GDOTS) ha completado el primer ensayo del nuevo motor cohete de 4.75” para sus sistemas de artillería HIMARS. El cohete de superiores prestaciones en alcance y dimensiones, permitirá además incrementar sensiblemente la capacidad de los módulos lanzadores del sistema a 30 cohetes por HIMARS. La Guerra en Ucrania puso en evidencia que la mayor demanda de proyectiles de artillería y cohetes, ponía en riesgo las existencias y capacidad de abastecimiento de estos materiales críticos, mostrando además falencias en las capacidades de producción específicas.
General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GDOTS) has completed the first firing test of the US Army’s 4.75-inch (12-centimeter) solid rocket motor, marking a significant milestone in advancing the service’s long-range precision fires capabilities.
Tested at GDOTS’ Camden, Arkansas, facility, the engine delivered performance results within one percent of predicted values, according to the manufacturer.
“This successful test reflects the strong partnership between GDOTS and the US Army,” senior vice president and general manager at GDOTS Chris Haynes said.
“We are proud to help showcase multi-domain concepts, demonstrate advanced capabilities, and test future concepts for our warfighters.”
Part of wider efforts to advance future combat capabilities through close industry-military cooperation, the initiative aims to provide affordable precision massed fires and increase magazine depth for US forces.
To Enhance Long-Range Capabilities
Developed by the US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center, the 4.75-inch form factor is designed to substantially increase the launcher’s loadout capacity.
GDOTS has not disclosed the enhancement’s scope. However, a comparable effort by Anduril is claimed to increase loadout capacity fivefold, enabling 30 guided rockets in a single High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) pod, up from the current six.
The two efforts are intended to introduce new players to the rocket motor industry, which includes L3Harris’ Aerojet Rocketdyne, Northrop Grumman, and Nammo.
General Dynamics, Lockheed Partnership
The US ramp-up in missile production since the start of the war in Ukraine has created a shortage of solid rocket motors.
To help bridge the supply gap, GDOTS partnered with Lockheed Martin in 2024 to produce the motors.
The initial work is focused on producing motors for the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System( a HIMARS munition), followed by a phased transition to other products.
“Maintaining a robust and diverse supply chain for solid rocket motors is critical to advancing our 21st Century Security vision for a stronger, more resilient defense industrial base that keeps our customers around the globe ahead of emerging threats,” president of Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Tim Cahill, said in August 2024.
“This agreement enables Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics to ramp production of in-demand solutions more quickly going forward.”
Fuente: https://thedefensepost.com/
