SAN DIEGO, July 5, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq:KTOS), a leading National Security Solutions provider, announced today the successful launch on May 1, 2012 of a hypersonic propulsion research mission from the U.S. Navy's Pacific Missile Range Facility in Hawaii. The launch was conducted by the Rocket Support Services (RSS) business unit under contract to the Naval Surface Warfare Center Port Hueneme Division Detachment at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico (NSWC PHD Det WS), in support of the joint NASA, Air Force
Research Laboratory (AFRL), and Australian Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) Hypersonic International Flight Research Experimentation Program (HIFiRE). This launch, dubbed HIFiRE 2, was the fourth of a planned series of up to ten flights for the HIFiRE Program.
Hypersonic flight is flight through the atmosphere at speeds above Mach 5.5, or more than five times the speed of sound. This launch boosted the hydrocarbon-fueled research payload to a speed of Mach 6 at an altitude of approximately 70,000 feet, where the scramjet was ignited and accelerated the research payload to a speed of Mach 8 and an altitude of approximately 100,000 feet. NASA reported that this was the first time this had been accomplished with a hydrocarbon-fueled scramjet.
This flight was the second in a series of up to ten planned flight experiments under a joint research program between AFRL and the Australian DSTO. The HIFiRE Program is investigating the fundamental science of hypersonic technology and its potential for next generation aeronautical propulsion systems. Hypersonic flight has the potential to revolutionize global air travel, enabling travel between any two points on the globe in just a matter of a few hours.
This was also the first flight of a new launch vehicle configuration, which consisted of the Kratos Oriole rocket system boosted by two surplus Terrier rockets. It is expected that the higher performing Terrier-Terrier-Oriole configuration will see additional use for future hypersonic propulsion research missions and as a ballistic missile defense program target vehicle.
"We are extremely pleased to participate in helping to advance this new propulsion system technology," said David Carter, President of the Kratos' Defense & Rocket Support Services Division. Mr. Carter continued, "Kratos is proud to be on the forefront of helping develop this exciting new technology and to add the Terrier-Terrier-Oriole to the family of low-cost ballistic missile defense target vehicles."
About Kratos Defense & Security Solutions
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq:KTOS) is a specialized National Security technology business providing mission critical products, services and solutions for United States National Security priorities. Kratos' core capabilities are sophisticated engineering, manufacturing and system integration offerings for National Security platforms and programs. Kratos' areas of expertise include Command, Control, Communications, Computing, Combat Systems, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR), satellite communication systems, unmanned systems, cyberwarfare, cybersecurity, information assurance, critical infrastructure security and weapons systems sustainment. Kratos has primarily an engineering and technical oriented work force of approximately 4,400, many of whom hold an active National Security clearance,
including Secret, Top Secret and higher. The vast majority of Kratos' work is performed on a military base, in a secure facility or at a critical infrastructure location. Kratos' primary end customers are United States Federal Government agencies, including the Department of Defense, classified agencies, intelligence agencies and Homeland Security related agencies. News and information are available at www.KratosDefense.com.
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Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are made on the basis of the current beliefs, expectations and assumptions of the management of Kratos and are subject to significant risks and uncertainty, including risks related to general economic conditions and cutbacks in government spending. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. All such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and Kratos undertakes no obligation to update or revise these statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. For a further discussion of risks
and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed in these forward-looking statements, as well as risks relating to the business of Kratos in general, see the risk disclosures in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Kratos for the year ended December 25, 2011, and in subsequent reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K and other filings made with the SEC by Kratos.
CONTACT: Press Contact:
Yolanda White
858-812-7302 Direct
Investor Information:
877-934-4687
investor@kratosdefense.com
Source:
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc.
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