Electrically-Assisted, High Performance, Extinguishable Solid Propellant for Advanced Thrust Control Motors
Navy SBIR FY2015.1


Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2015.1
Topic No.: N151-062
Topic Title: Electrically-Assisted, High Performance, Extinguishable Solid Propellant for Advanced Thrust Control Motors
Proposal No.: N151-062-0176
Firm: Physical Sciences Inc.
20 New England Business Center
Andover, Massachusetts 01810
Contact: Allan Dokhan
Phone: (978) 689-0003
Abstract: Physical Sciences Inc. proposes to develop a unique, electrically-assisted, insensitive munition compliant, self-extinguishable, high performance controllable solid propellant for advanced thrust control motors. This novel propellant formulation has a predicted specific impulse and density specific impulses that exceed the performance of state-of-the-art ionic propellants. The solid propellant enables the development of high performance, storable propulsion systems while simultaneously reducing handling operations as compared to state-of-art electrochemically assisted ionic propellants. In Phase I, the proposed investigation focuses on the critical thermochemical and thermophysical behavior to ensure electrical-assisted combustion. This also includes evaluation of its combustion response at multiple pressures to ensure realistic system level design for high performance thrust control motors within the operational mission requirements.
Benefits: Successful demonstration of the high performance electrically-assisted solid propellant system will have applications in both commercial and military technology ranging from expendable and reusable launch vehicles to small tactical missiles. Development of a low cost, insensitive munition compliant propellant capable of producing high thrust profiles will allow for critical technology development in strategic and space defense. The propellant system will provide an advanced interceptor propulsion system that will maximize motor performance, minimize logistical operational expenses associated with most high performing propulsion systems, and provide a more compact propulsion system.

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