First nozzle produced for the P120 solid rocket motor. Photo: ArianeGroup

ArianeGroup launched the production line (named “B-Line”) for its P120C solid propellant booster nozzles at its Le Haillan, France site. The nozzles will be produced for the solid rocket booster P120C motor being used in future Ariane 6 and Vega-C launches.

The line is designed to produce up to 25 nozzles per year, an output that is three times higher than that of the current Ariane 5 boosters. Each nozzle can be built in less than 28 days.

This is the first of a new series of production lines for Ariane 6, which was inaugurated by Ariane Group in 2018.