Fast Response Thrusters to Enhance PGM Accuracy

Terminal accuracy is imparted into spin-stabilized precision-guided munitions (PGM) by short-duration lateral impulses applied behind the center of mass. Most important for spinning projectiles, however, the thrusters must first function very fast. Thrusters with hot-wire ignition need 1-to-3 msec just to ignite. During the hot-wire heat-up time a 105mm howitzer projectile spins 120º-to-360º making fast, predictable ignition response as important to accuracy as very short thrust duration. In Phase I, Tanner Research proposes to integrate an EFI-based 100 nanosecond-response ignition system with high combustion-rate energetics (COTS or GFE). For the proposed test bed demonstration Tanner will use a thruster body design already proven to survive 40,000g acceleration (Navy hypervelocity projectile). Ideally, Tanner Research will EFI initiated thrusters capable of order 100 nanosecond response (initiation) times and submillisecond burn times. Our final goal will be to show the technology can be scaled up to 150N of thrust force.