Black Sky Aerospace closer to producing rocket fuel

Brisbane-based rocket manufacturer Black Sky Aerospace has become the first Australian company to locally produce Ammonium Perchlorate, a chemical that makes up about 70 percent of most rocket fuel.

Known as A.P., the chemical will help Australia become self-sufficient as it moves to produce sovereign rockets and missiles, according to a statement.

Black Sky announced today that it had completed a $1 million project, supported by the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre, and produced ammonium perchlorate.

The company said it was now planning to establish a sovereign Australian manufacturing capability with local partners.

Black Sky CEO Blake Nikolic said the release of the Defence Strategic Review provided the perfect backdrop for completion of the A.P. project.

Nikolic said: “Now that we have produced ammonium perchlorate, we have access to all the knowhow and materials we need to make solid rocket motors for defence and space use here in Australia.

“A sovereign Australian Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance capability is a major focus of the capabilities required for the Australian Defence Force.”

Last week, Defence Minister Richard Marles announced $2.5 billion to accelerate local missile production over a two-year timeframe.

Nikolic said: “The next step is to scale up production, creating the industrial base to meet our own needs, and supply the Australian and export markets.”

“Previously we had to import A.P., meaning we would always be vulnerable to supply chain disruption when we needed solid fuel for rockets and missiles the most.

“With the ability to produce ammonium perchlorate locally, Black Sky Aerospace can supply the key pre-cursor oxidiser chemical of rocket fuel for missiles.”

Black Sky made history last year when it became the first sovereign company to launch fully Australian designed and manufactured guided missiles.

Further reading:
BLACK SKY AEROSPACE DEVELOPS SOLID ROCKET FUEL
$4.1 BILLION FOR GUIDED MISSILES, $2.5BN FOR LOCAL MANUFACTURE