Green Catalyst-free Electric Monopropellant (GEM) for Insensitive Munitions (IM) Compliance

Continuously advancing ballistic missile threats require an interceptor missile system which has greater basing flexibility and highly advanced performance in terms of burnout velocity and Divert and Attitude Control (DACS). Liquid systems are the ideal candidate to fit this role because of higher performance than solids; however, they tend to be a significant safety risk due to toxicity, corrosiveness and shock sensitivity. Monopropellants have reduced performance compared to bipropellant systems, but they have considerably less complexity and less system weight. Two major drawback of currently fielded monopropellant systems are their propellant toxicity and the intricate, expensive catalyst packs which tends to degrade under the harsh combustion environments, affecting thruster performance and lifetime. By advancing DSSPs innovative Green Electric Monopropellant (GEM), a high performance, lightweight, non-toxic, low hazard, liquid propellant system can be developed. Since DSSPs propellants can be ignited by applied electrical power, simple inert electrodes can be substituted for the complex problematic catalyst pack. Our goal is a Catalyst-free GEM-fueled DACS that will provide safe-storable options and MIL-STD-2105D IM compliance for future use in the field and aboard Navy ships. Approved for Public Release 15-MDA-8169 (20 March 15)