TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Air Platform, Materials/Processes, Space Platforms, Weapons

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: Dave Williams, PMA-201; Cartridge/Propellant actuated device

OBJECTIVE: Design, develop, characterize and demonstrate methods for the preparation of an advanced energetic oxidizer superior to ammonium perchlorate (AP).

DESCRIPTION: Over the past 50 years AP has been the most commonly used oxidizer for solid propellant and explosives, particularly metallized systems.

The development of a new revolutionary advanced energetic oxidizer molecule with the following general characteristics is desired:
Density > 2g/cc
Oxygen content > AP oxygen content
Melting Pt >150 C
Min. No. of Synthetic Steps
Sensitivities better than PETN
Low Hydrogen & Carbon; High Oxygen & Nitrogen content
The new molecules preferably would be prepared from CHNO content. General examples include categories like caged compounds and polyheterocycles containing NNO2, NO2, NO, O, and etc. energetic groups.

PHASE I: Design and prepare conceptual synthesis routes to new oxidizer molecules. Down select and synthesize up to 25-gm samples of these new materials after consultation with the program COTR. Provide characterization, analysis, and delivery to government laboratories for evaluation.

PHASE II: Scale-up and optimize the synthesis process to pound quantities for larger-scale evaluation. Investigate process research and establish parameters to define process for manufacturing of pure material for delivery of 2000lb. per year. Potential candidates for Phase II investment have the potential of being classified as to manufacturing process and any performance data generated in actual system hardware.

PHASE III: Transition technology to next generation propulsion and ordnance systems per appropriate PMA/PMS road maps. Provide costing and data package for pilot production of materials based on requirements and need. Examples include missile systems and new underwater explosives.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: While the principle application for AP type oxidizers would be for solid propulsion and ordnance applications, potential custom oxidizer applications in synthesis can be envisioned, particular for a stable, long-shelf life material. Other potential applications may be found with NASA.

REFERENCES:
1. Philip E. Eaton, Mao-Xi Zhang, Richard Gilardi, Nat Gelber 3, Sury Iyer, Rao Surapaneni, Prop., Explos., Pyrotech, 27, 1, 2002.

2. A.T. Nielsen, S. Barbara, Caged Polynitramine Compound, U.S. Patent 5,693,794, 1997-12-02.

3. Subbiah Venkatachalam, Gopalakrishnan Santhosh, Kovoor Ninan Ninan Propellants, Explosives, Pyrotechnics 29, 178, 2004.

KEYWORDS: ammonium perchloate, AP, explosive, solid propellant, oxidizer