Energetic Nanoparticles for High Impulse Reduced Smoke Propellants

ABSTRACT: U.S. tactical air-to-air missiles provide exceptional performance to the warfighter, yet even higher performance is needed to expand the no-escape zone when engaging enemy aircraft. Ultimately, the missile flight performance depends upon rocket motor total impulse, which can only be improved by increasing the propellant loading or its specific impulse. Current motors use radially burning grains, which have several percent void fraction. A more highly-loaded end-burning grain configuration could be employed if the propellant burn rate could be increased without loss of performance in other areas. Unfortunately, conventional burn rate modifiers reduce the propellant specific impulse (e.g. reduced smoke propellants use up to 2 wt% iron oxide). Thus, the discovery of highly effective burn rate modifiers remains an important research challenge. Nanomaterials, with their inherent high surface area, are very attractive for use as catalysts and combustion aids. Therefore, we propose to develop novel energetic nanoparticles to replace conventional burn rate modifiers. In Phase I TDA and ATK will conduct experiments to determine their effects on burn rate and specific impulse. Our objective being to develop propellants that can be used in highly loaded, end-burning grains. In Phase II we will subcontract ATK to test rocket motors containing our nanoparticles. BENEFIT: More effective burn rate modifiers allow higher energy propellants to be utilized in highly-loaded grain configurations. These advanced rocket motors will increase the flight engagement envelope of tactical missile systems as well as improve access-to-space. A successful formulation would be a valuable commercial commodity that could be sold to vendors who currently produce solid rocket motors.