Further Enhancement of Non-Eroding Throat Liner Technology to Enable TSRM

Plasma Processes non-eroding throat (NET) technology for aluminized propellants has been significantly matured since 1999.A recent full-scale second stage motor test demonstrated that the technology has strong potential for transition consideration.However, there remain transition steps that must be addressed to enable adoption by a prime.The Phase I was a precursory investigation of transitioning the W-based NET technology to an advanced SM-3 21-inch TSRM.The Phase I provided preliminary TSRM throat insert designs with a path towards optimization.Additionally, the Phase I validated a manufacturing plan for TSRM-sized throat inserts.The Phase I was successful at identifying and reducing risks, thereby increasing the likelihood of a successful Phase II effort.The objective of the Phase II effort is to support activities to demonstrate the performance of the W-base NET technology in a full-scale 21-inch TSRM.A Phase II will concentrate on optimizing the throat insert manufacturing process defined in Phase I; improving manufacturing attrition rate; maturing the mechanical property database; thermo-structural analyses using the higher fidelity property database; and motor build and component integration in preparation for a hot fire test in a full-scale 21-inch TSRM in a planned follow-on effort to the Phase II.