Stealth Solid Rocket Propellant

Physical Sciences Inc. and Purdue University propose to develop a high performance solid rocket propellant (SSRP) with significantly reduced infrared (IR) plume signature. The SSRP provides an increase in Specific Impulse (Isp), and equivalent Density Specific Impulse (ρIsp), relative to state-of-the-art aluminized hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) ammonium perchlorate (AP) composite propellants. The innovative chemistries, combined with specific changes in the propellant formulations, will enable ingredient compatibility and minimum temperature and shock sensitivity. Phase I will focus on the development of SSRP formulation procedures, establishing propellant burn rates, and quantifying IR combustion signature via IR absorption spectroscopy and 2D high-speed imaging. Phase II will focus on formulation scale-up, quantification of SSRP performance, validation of Insensitive Munition (IM) compliancy, and exhaust plume signature modeling. Approved for Public Release |21-MDA-10789 (21 Apr 21)