Orbital Sciences Storm I / Storm II
Storm is the name of a family of ground-launched target vehicles, which are built by Orbital Sciences Corp. (OSC) for tests of theater anti-ballistic missiles. The Storm vehicles are also referred to as BTTV (Ballistic Tactical Target Vehicle) or MTTV (Maneuvering Tactical Target Vehicle) rockets, depending on the characteristics of the actual reentry vehicle carried.
Storm I
Storm I is a two-stage solid-propellant rocket consisting of a Sergeant booster stage and an M57A1 upper stage (a third stage of a retired LGM-30 Minuteman ICBM). A total of twelve Storm I rockets have been launched between January 1992 and December 1995, either for vehicle validation or to to provide targets for THAAD (Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense) flight tests.
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| Photo: Orbital Sciences |
| Storm I |
Storm II
The Storm II is a single-stage rocket using the SR19-AJ-1 second stage of retired LGM-30F Minuteman II ICBMs. It is normally flown as an MTTV, and as such uses the maneuvering reentry vehicles of discarded MGM-31 Pershing II missiles. The Storm II was first fired on 29 January 1997. It is equipped with a GPS/INS guidance and control system to achieve accurate flight paths, and can launch payloads weighing between 900 kg and 4260 kg (2000-9400 lb). At the time of this writing at least six Storm II rockets have been launched to provide targets for tests of the PAC-3 missile.
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| Photo: Orbital Sciences |
| Storm II |
Specifications
Note: Data given by several sources show slight variations. Figures given below may therefore be inaccurate!
Data for Storm II (with Pershing II RV):
| Length | 10 m (33 ft) |
| Diameter | 1.32 m (4 ft 4 in) |
| Weight (max. payload) | 11340 kg (25000 lb) |
| Propulsion | Aerojet SR19-AJ-1 solid-fueled rocket; 268 kN (60300 lb) |
Main Sources
[1] Orbital Sciences Corp. Website
[2] Jonathan McDowell: Launch Vehicles Database
Back to Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles, Appendix 4
Last Updated: 3 December 2004