ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Sandia National Laboratories says a recent sounding rocket flight test has provided engineers with new data that will help support development of the W93 warhead, the first new U.S. nuclear warhead program in nearly 30 years.
The test, known as Atrax, was designed to collect information about the vibrations, aerodynamic forces, and structural stresses experienced by a vehicle as it reenters Earth’s atmosphere.
According to Sandia officials, those conditions are difficult to replicate through ground-based testing alone, making flight data particularly valuable for improving modeling and simulation tools used by engineers.
Researchers say the data will help evaluate how nonnuclear components perform during reentry and allow designers to make more informed engineering decisions earlier in the development process.
The W93 is being developed for the sea-based portion of the nation’s nuclear deterrent and will be paired with a reentry vehicle designed to protect and deliver the warhead.
Sandia engineers say the Atrax test reduces uncertainty by providing real-world measurements rather than relying solely on estimates and computer projections.
In addition to supporting the W93 program, officials say the data gathered during the flight test may also benefit broader hypersonic research and future aerospace projects.
The mission included a newly designed reentry vehicle, a three-stage sounding rocket, advanced sensors, and a new separation system. Engineers reported that the flight successfully collected usable data without damaging the test vehicle.
Sandia serves as the lead systems integrator for nuclear weapons programs and is responsible for the design of the W93’s nonnuclear components.
