Adranos Secures Government Contracts for Hypersonic Research

September 11, 2020

This image shows Adranos’ prototype rocket launch using its proprietary ALITEC fuel. (Image provided)

Adranos Inc., a Purdue University-affiliated company that has developed a high-performance solid rocket fuel called ALITEC for missile and space launch systems, has obtained more than $1.1 million in contracts collectively from the U.S. Army’s Aviation and Missile Center and the OUSD (R&E)’s Rapid Reaction Technology Office. One of these contracts will use Purdue’s Zucrow Laboratories’ heated air system, which is capable of simulating Mach 4 environments for hypersonic research.

“These tests will determine ALITEC’s functionality within a hypersonic propulsion system referred to as a solid-fuel ramjet,” said Chris Stoker, Adranos’ CEO. “A solid-fuel ramjet is among the simplest of air-breathing rockets that can substantially increase firing range over traditional solid rocket motors.”

These systems use an initial-stage, traditional solid rocket booster to reach necessary velocities that then enable a second-stage air-breathing system to carry payloads over long distances.

Source