SBIR-STTR Award

Knobley Technical Associates Phase I Advanced Solid Rocket Motor Technology for Tactical Missiles program is planned to identify and evaluate technology advancing weight and risk reducing processes, component designs and increased energy reduced signature propellant systems for the rate augmented highly loaded dual pulse tactical propulsion system. The proposed program is planned to build on the successes of KTA’s Phase I, Phase II and on-going Phase III Rocket Motor-Dual Pulse Motor programs to advance the Technical Readiness Level of this type propulsion system for next generation tactical missiles. Higher energy reduced signature propellant formulations will be identified and analytically evaluated as candidates for the highly loaded grain rocket motor. Matrix and rate augmented propellant burn rate strand testing will be conducted to demonstrate the targeted burn rates required for a highly loaded grain tactical rocket motor. Design studies will be conducted to define performance enhancing and process friendly “starter grain” geometries for the highly loaded grain multi-pulse rocket motor. Motor case geometries and manufacturing processes associated with using weight reducing nano-titanium and fiber reinforced aluminum type materials will be explored and evaluated. These case design studies will also evaluate SMA nozzle and forward closure releasing features for enhanced IM compliance. KTA’s Phase I program will also identify, and analytically evaluate envelope compliant blast tube-type nozzle systems featuring non- or low-erosion potential throat insert configurations. The program will also include design trade studies to define performance enhancing ignition and stress relief liner/case insulation systems as required for an end-burning highly loaded grain rocket motor.

Benefit:
The Phase I program is tailored to identify and advance technologies for transitioning and use of the performance enhancement provided with highly loaded grain multi-pulse motor technoligies in next generation solid propellant propulsion systems.

Keywords:
Pulse Motors, Burn Rate Augmentation, Energy Management,Thermal Barriers,Erosion Resistant Nozzles, Highly Loaded Grains, Nano-Ti,Ignition Systems

Knobley Technical Associates Phase Il Advanced Solid Rocket Motor Technologies for Tactical Missiles program includes design, analysis, development and testing efforts to define and mitigate technical and operational challenges to be investigated and resolved for successful maturation of the performance enhancing burn-rate augment highly loaded propellant grain technology for next generation advanced solid rocket motors. The program as planned consist of task to 1.) formulate and evaluate the high burn rate reduced signature (RS) and aluminized propellants relative to ballistic, mechanical and processing performance characteristics as required for use in advance technology energy managed solid rocket motors featuring burn rate-augmented end burning highly loaded grains, 2.) design and evaluate integrated starter grain and burn rate augmented end burning propellant grains that transition rapidly from ignition to near steady state boost or sustain conditions with good pressure and thrust neutrality characteristics, 3.) demonstrate the operational ballistic performance of the burn rate augmented propellant grain motor at operating temperature extremes of tactical air-launched rocket motors and 4.) demonstrate operational performance of the burn rate augmented grain motor when ignited with low and high L* conditions as would exist in a dual pulse solid propellant tactical rocket motor. The program as planned has task asist of an effort to design and manufacture subscale (3.5” Dia. by 31” Lg) diagnostic motors that will be used to demonstrate the operational performance of the burn rate augmented highly loaded grain motor when tested at ambient and tactical air launched motor operational temperature extremes. The motor will also be used to demonstrate the ignition transient performance of the highly loaded grain motor when tested at low and high L* conditions as may be present for ignition of pulse 1 and 2 grains of a multi-pulse motor. Results of the diagnostic motor testing will be used to design and demonstrate successful performance of a 7-inch diameter highly loaded grain dual pulse motor featuring a reduced signature pulse 1 grain, a high performance aluminized propellant pulse 2 grain and the associated igniters and thermal barrier designs required for the full scale dual pulse motor.

Benefit:
The successful Phase II Advanced Solid Rocket Motor Technology for Tactical Missiles program will serve to provide a performance enhancing capability to increase the propulsive energy of next generation envelope constrained tactical solid rocket motors by approximately 20 percent. The technology of this program provides the rocket motor design and development community a totally new tool to be used in the design of next generation of tactical solid propellant rocket motors.

Keywords:
"highly Loaded Grain Rocket Motors,Burn Rate Augmented Propellant Grains,Pulse Motors, Case Insulation/Strain Relieving Liners,Igniter, Reduced Signature Ppropellant,High Burn "