SBIR-STTR Award

Difficulties in using foreign air bases and airspace is constraining the Air Force from striking high-value, time critical targets. The Small Launch Vehicle (SLV) and Common Aero Vehicle (CAV) that deploys weapons over the target within minutes after being launched from the United States can solve this. The SLV can also be used to launch satellites. Wickman Spacecraft & Propulsion Company is proposing a versatile and low cost SLV that will be air launched from Air Force cargo planes. It uses an innovative solid rocket motor with individually controlled nozzle throats providing real time controllable thrust and steering with a fixed nozzle. With an expansion-deflection exit cone, it has an optimum expansion ratio at all altitudes. The propellant is an environmentally friendly, low cost, phase stabilized ammonium nitrate propellant with a delivered specific impulse equal to ammonium perchlorate propellants. The solid rocket motors are 'field' reloadable. Phase I determines the feasibility of this approach while Phase II demonstrates all the enabling technologies.

Benefits:
The primary anticipated benefit would be a Small Launch Vehicle (SLV) to put into orbit military theater Intelligence and/or Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) satellites as well as deploy military CAVs. The primary commercial benefit would be placing into orbit commercial communications and observation satellites. Other commercial applications include a series of new, low cost sounding rockets, military target vehicles, strap-on boosters for medium and heavy lift launch vehicles, booster and upper stage systems for medium and heavy launch vehicles plus a Ballistic Missile Replacement (BMR). Another dual use commercialization application would be the design, fabrication, integration, and flight-testing of the sub-orbital vehicle defined in SBIR Phases I and II by Wickman Spacecraft & Propulsion Company. This would occur if the Phase II technical exit criteria are met and commercial and/or government (non-SBIR) program funds are available.

Keywords:
SLV, solid rocket motors, air launched, deflection-expansion nozzle, thrust vector control, sub-orbital vehicle, flight test and evaluation, risk mitigation plan

Difficulties in using foreign air bases and airspace is constraining the Air Force from striking high-value, time critical targets. The Small Launch Vehicle (SLV) and Common Aero Vehicle (CAV) that deploys weapons over the target within minutes after being launched from the United States can solve this. The SLV can also be used to launch satellites. Wickman Spacecraft & Propulsion Company is proposing a versatile and low cost SLV that will be air launched from Air Force cargo planes. It uses an innovative solid rocket motor with individually controlled nozzle throats providing real time controllable thrust and steering with a fixed nozzle. With an expansion-deflection exit cone, it has an optimum expansion ratio at all altitudes. The propellant is an environmentally friendly, low cost, phase stabilized ammonium nitrate propellant with a delivered specific impulse equal to ammonium perchlorate propellants. The solid rocket motors are 'field' reloadable. Phase I determines the feasibility of this approach while Phase II demonstrates all the enabling technologies.

Benefits:
The primary anticipated benefit would be a Small Launch Vehicle (SLV) to put into orbit military theater Intelligence and/or Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) satellites as well as deploy military CAVs. The primary commercial benefit would be placing into orbit commercial communications and observation satellites. Other commercial applications include a series of new, low cost sounding rockets, military target vehicles, strap-on boosters for medium and heavy lift launch vehicles, booster and upper stage systems for medium and heavy launch vehicles plus a Ballistic Missile Replacement (BMR). Another dual use commercialization application would be the design, fabrication, integration, and flight-testing of the sub-orbital vehicle defined in SBIR Phases I and II by Wickman Spacecraft & Propulsion Company. This would occur if the Phase II technical exit criteria are met and commercial and/or government (non-SBIR) program funds are available.

Keywords:
SLV, solid rocket motors, air launched, deflection-expansion nozzle, thrust vector control, sub-orbital vehicle, flight test and evaluation, risk mitigation plan