Aerojet Rocketdyne To 3-D Print Rocket Engine Parts under Air Force Demo

[Dr Mordrid]

http://www.spacenews.com/article/launch-report/41626aerojet-rocketdyne-to-3-d-print-rocket-engine-parts-under-air-force-demo

Aerojet Rocketdyne To 3-D Print Rocket Engine Parts under Air Force Demo

WASHINGTON — Aerojet Rocketdyne will demonstrate the use of additive manufacturing techniques to produce selected, full-scale rocket engine components under a Defense Production Act (DPA) Title 3 contract awarded by the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, the company announced Aug. 20.

The contract is valued at $11.75 million over a three-year period, according to Jeffrey K. Smith, executive agent program manager for DPA Title 3, a Pentagon-wide initiative to develop affordable and commercially viable manufacturing capabilities for critical defense hardware. The program is housed at the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

In a written response to questions, Smith said Aerojet Rocketdyne is expected to establish and demonstrate “a domestic production capability to manufacture large rocket engine parts using selective laser melting (SLM) technology that pass the key performance parameter criteria and quality requirements.”

As part of the contract Aerojet Rocketdyne will purchase and install SLM machines that will be used to build the components, Smith said. The company is expected to achieve that milestone during the second quarter of calendar year 2015, he said.
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[UtwigMU]

Which rockets do these go to?

Is there any modernisation of ballistic missiles going on?

Russia had in 1970s and 1980s about 300 R36 with trowh weigh of 8800kg, 10 MIRVs and 40 decoys. They are being decommissioned and replaced.

Recently - past few years - they developed Topol-M (MIRV capable), Yars with 3 MIRVs and new submarine based Bulava. Their military is undergoing big modernization with strategic forces being modernized first.

China is also developing their strategic forces and other military.

USA only has phased out Peacekeepers and presently only Minutemen are in active service.

Are there any news of strategic missile developments - even civilian rockets came from or had military implication?
How is strategic balance these days?

[cjolley]

The strategic balance is the same as it's always been. In a real war we all die.
There won't be a real war.

[Dr Mordrid]

US nuclear modernization programs

https://www.armscontrol.org/factsheets/USNuclearModernization#chart

Not mentioned are programs like the Waverider and other hypersonic cruise missiles, unmanned combat air systems (UCAS), various types of combat robots (some anthropomorphic), tactical exoskeletons for troops and directed energy weapons.

Laser, particle beam and microwave weapons for land, sea and air are in active development. The USS Ponce was fitted with a sub-full power tactical laser this year, and Navy Labs has already surpassed the power target. Another program named Excalibur aims to place optical phased array lasers in fighters and gunships. New Navy ship power systems are being designed and fielded with directed energy in mind.

Tactical directed energy weapons are moving fast.