Very Long Range Munition — Air Breather (VLRM-AB)
ATK is developing the ramjet propulsion system for the Very Long Range Munition – Air Breather (VLRM-AB) ramjet-assisted artillery projectile. Assisting guided projectiles with ramjet propulsion will enhance platform survivability by increasing standoff range and improve call-for-fire responsiveness through shorter flight time.

VLRM-AB for 155mm artillery provides the U.S. Army with extended-range fire capability, precision, and lethality. For the Navy, VLRM-AB can facilitate the long-range naval surface fire support requirement using the five-inch gun. Ramjet assisted projectile technology is scaleable to other calibers, including 105mm projectiles for the Army and 155mm projectiles for the Navy’s Advanced Gun System.

ATK is the world leader in the development of hypervelocity and air-breathing propulsion systems. In 2004, the X-43 hypersonic flight vehicle built by ATK for NASA set the world speed record for air-breathing powered flight at Mach 10 or nearly 7,000 miles per hour. ATK is also designing and developing scramjet propulsion engines for the X-51 Robust Scramjet program, a U.S. Air Force initiative to advance the state of the art for liquid hydrocarbon and hydrogen-fueled scramjet propulsion systems.