Recoilless Launcher Propulsion System (RLPS)

ORBITEC proposes to develop the Recoilless Launcher Propulsion System (RLPS), a means of propelling a warhead from a shoulder-mounted recoilless launcher which will greatly reduce the risks posed to the operator by the back blast from such launchers, including over-pressure, high sound levels, and burns. These risks are of particular concern when the launcher is fired from within an enclosed space such as a room or alleyway. ORBITEC"s proposed RLPS will use a unique propellant formulation to mitigate back blast, over-pressurization, and sound waves. Conservation of momentum will be maintained as the reaction products from the propellant are ejected out the back end of the launcher at high velocity. In the Phase I project, we will model both the propellant reaction and the launcher dynamics, and we will build and test a subscale launch apparatus to experimentally evaluate the candidate propellant formulations.