Australia completes first flight-test of KR3.0 solid rocket motor

The KR3.0 flight test forms part of Australia's efforts to develop an indigenous rocket-motor capability. (Commonwealth of Australia)

Australia has conducted the first flight-test of its locally developed Koonibba Rising 3.0 (KR3.0) solid rocket motor, the Department of Defence (DoD) in Canberra announced on 6 August.

The DoD said the test flight was conducted by Australian spaceport operator Southern Launch at the Koonibba Test Range near Ceduna, South Australia. The rocket motor was developed under the Advanced Rocket Motor Technology Demonstrator Programme (ARMTDP), a partnership between the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) and Thales Australia.

According to the DoD, KR3.0 is a 100 kg-class solid rocket motor incorporating technologies and design features required for “high-performance, military-relevant applications”.

“Post-flight analysis confirmed the rocket motor performed as designed throughout the test,” the DoD said. “The test also successfully demonstrated real-time monitoring of flight vehicle and rocket motor performance data and enabled the recovery of the flight vehicle for inspection and data validation.”

The DoD added that the test demonstrated a pathway for the domestic development, manufacture, testing and evaluation of future rocket motors, supporting Australia's defence-industrial capabilities and the development of advanced defence technologies.

In a separate announcement, Thales Australia said it had invested in infrastructure and workforce development to support the programme.

According to the company, it has co-invested nearly AUD10 million (USD6.5 million) to support Australia's sovereign rocket motor capability. Thales said KR3.0 was developed and manufactured through an industry network, with the company contributing propellant and igniter technologies.