Sandia answered the nation’s call with an impressive feat: developing an experimental reentry vehicle within a tight 24-month deadline for a critical test. A reentry vehicle is designed to safeguard a warhead during atmospheric reentry. Sandia completed the Enzo demonstrator and had it ready to ship in time to meet the test’s deadline.
“For Enzo, the team had a very clear focus that we had to deliver in 24 months,” said Kelsey Forsberg, the lead for the Enzo flight demonstrator project. “We had a team that already had flight test experience.”
The team responsible for Enzo also concurrently worked on NNSA’s High Operational Tempo Shot sounding rocket program. HOT Shot collects data for aerospace research and future weapon designs for the stockpile. Kelsey said the experience gained from the program helped the team rise to the challenge for Enzo.