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Allegany
BALLISTICS LAB By James M. Krushat, DI
July 20, eight analysts from DIA’s Military Infrastructure Office (MIO) visited Allegany Ballistics Laboratory (ABL) at Rocket Center, W.Va., in the pic turesque hill country just south of Cum berland, Md.
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Allegany Ballistics Laboratory Reservation.
James Avery, McArthur Billing, William Clark, Michael Hardin, James Krushat, Mark Macauley, Tara Swersie and Adam Zeimetz planned the orientation to gain an understanding of the industrial pro cesses involved in the manufacture of solid propellant rocket motors and fila ment wound composite structures The visit began with a presentation on ABL capabilities and ongoing production programs. During this session, MIO ana lysts were able to ask questions covering a variety of manufacturing issues, includ ing production rates and raw materials. The morning tour at the plant centered on the manufacturing of the rocket motor for the advance multirole air-to-air missile. This included the 150- and 450-gallon mixers, the areas for both pit and linear casting operations, control rooms and radiographic inspection.
Above -Javelin In the afternoon, analysts took a tour Missile g area. manufacturin composites the of Manufacturing. Using either filament winding or hand Left F-22 Rator lay-up/compression molding, ABL manu pivot shaft. factures the Javelin missile launch tube, as well as the horizontal stabilizer pivot shaft and inlet duct bypass screen for the F-22 Raptor. Time constraints prevented the MIO analysts from touring the metal fabrication area, where ABL manufactures components for 20 mm, 25 mm and 30 mm ammunition; 120 mm tank ammuni tion; and the warhead cast/cure area. -
ABL personnel were very helpful and accommodating and are willing to spon sor orientation visits in the future. *
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