Liquefying Fuel Ramjets for Missile Applications

The use of a ramjet motor in a tactical system offers significant performance advantages over a typical boost sustain propulsion system. SPG, Inc. proposes to conduct a study demonstrating the feasibility of solid-fuel ramjet (SFRJ) utilizing paraffin-based solid fuels for tactical applications that require high speed and long range performance. In addition, a novel liquefying ramjet will be designed, aiming for improved combustion efficiency and flame holding characteristics. SFRJ propulsion offers many advantages over a traditional boost-sustain tactical system. Potential increases in range of more than 4 times that of a typical boost-sustain tactical system are possible using paraffin solid fuels in a ramjet configuration. The incorporation of energetic additives (e.g., boron) further increases the potential range of the system. Additives will be evaluated to determine the propulsive performance gains from inclusion. Selected fuel formulations will be evaluated using an in-house flyout code to calculate the theoretical range of the system. Fuel formulations for evaluation in Phase II will be selected at the end of the period. Static test firings will be completed with a baseline paraffin fuel. Tests will demonstrate the range of throttling and combustion efficiency will be measured for the baseline fuel in traditional SFRJ configuration.