Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles
Appendix 4: Undesignated Vehicles
SR19-SR19
Copyright © 2005-2006 Andreas Parsch

Orbital Sciences SR19-SR19

Orbital Sciences Corp. (OSC) builds launchers for ballistic targets, which consist of a stack of two Aerojet SR19-AJ-1 solid-propellant rockets. The motors are second stages of surplus LGM-30F Minuteman II missiles. Two MLRS rocket motors are strapped to the first stage to increase the lift-off thrust, and both stages are fitted with four stabilizing fins. The rocket has apparently no proper name, and is generally referred to by the stage sequence SR19-SR19 (or SR19/SR19).

Photo: Orbital Sciences
SR19-SR19


The first firing of an SR19-SR19 combination by OSC occurred on 6 September 1999. As of September 2006, a total of seven launches have been conducted. The payloads were ballistic targets for tests by the U.S. Army and/or Missile Defense Agency.

Another ballistic missile target launcher, which uses two SR19 stages, is the Coleman LRALT (Long-Range Air-Launched Target).

Specifications

Note: Data given by several sources show slight variations. Figures given below may therefore be inaccurate!

Data for SR19-SR19:

Length15.5 m (50 ft 10 in)
Diameter1.32 m (4 ft 4 in)
Weight15000 kg (33000 lb)
Altitude300 km (185 miles)
PropulsionBooster: 2x MLRS solid-fueled rocket
1st stage: Aerojet SR19-AJ-1 solid-fueled rocket; 268 kN (60300 lb)
2nd stage: Aerojet SR19-AJ-1 solid-fueled rocket; 268 kN (60300 lb)

Main Sources

[1] Mark Wade: Encyclopedia Astronautica
[2] Jonathan McDowell: Launch Vehicles Database


Back to Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles, Appendix 4




Last Updated: 14 September 2006