SBIR-STTR Award

MIL-STD-1901A Compliant Igniter Energetic for Solid Rocket Motors
Award last edited on: 8/31/2021

Sponsored Program
SBIR
Awarding Agency
DOD : MDA
Total Award Amount
$1,630,011
Award Phase
2
Solicitation Topic Code
MDA19-012
Principal Investigator
Peter D Zavitsanos

Company Information

General Sciences Inc

205 Schoolhouse Road
Souderton, PA 18964
   (215) 723-8588
   gsi@general-sciences.com
   www.general-sciences.com
Location: Single
Congr. District: 01
County: Montgomery

Phase I

Contract Number: HQ0860-20-C-7029
Start Date: 11/22/2019    Completed: 3/21/2021
Phase I year
2020
Phase I Amount
$149,997
General Sciences, Inc. (GSI) will exploit its energetic intermetallic formulations to demonstrate a new igniter option for solid rocket motor ignition with highly exothermic materials which are not subject to deterioration due to age and moisture. The overall objective is to achieve output equal to or better than 30 grams of M36 double based propellant. Several highly exothermic/gas generating compositions are proposed for Propellant Evaluation Program (PEP) code analysis and laboratory measurements of exothermicity and pressure generation in comparison to baseline 30 grams of M36 and exploding foil indicator (EFI). Approved for Public Release | 19-MDA-10270 (18 Nov 19)

Phase II

Contract Number: HQ0860-21-C-7106
Start Date: 12/21/2020    Completed: 12/20/2022
Phase II year
2021
Phase II Amount
$1,480,014
The Phase I program developed and tested several energetic compositions. These were compared to two baseline compositions, such as a double-base propellant and B/KNO3 with promising results. The comparisons were made through laboratory tests such as a)bomb calorimetry (in O2 and Ar) in terms of exothermicity per unit mass and volume, b)reaction rate (rise time) to a maximum temperature, c)pressure and total reaction time (i.e., energy envelope). These tests confirmed promise in terms of higher thermal output and pressure, adequate short rise time, low sensitivity, and better aging properties due to the absence of oxidizer in the composition. In the Phase II effort we propose a) expansion of Phase I results and completion of safety evaluation described in MIL-STD-1751A to demonstrate energetic compliance, b)design, fabricate and test a prototype ignition system (using the down-selected composition) to demonstrate performance requirements, c) produce and deliver igniter units to MDA for further testing if required, d) further testing in a small solid-propellant rocket motor and e) work with an identified automated pellet production company for future scale-up. Approved for Public Release | 20-MDA-10643 (3 Dec 20)