Insensitive, Energetic, Multifunctional, Consumable Structural Composites for FCS Munitions

Physical Sciences Inc. and ATK Launch Systems will continue under the Phase II SBIR program the development of a novel class of materials for constructing gun-launched munitions. These materials will provide high structural strength, stiffness and toughness, combust rapidly producing only gaseous products, and provide high energy output per unit mass to augment energy to the projectile and its propulsion system. These functions will be incorporated simultaneously in unique multifunctional structural energetic composites that constitute an enabling technology for Future Combat System munitions, specifically, as combustible cases for tank ammunition, artillery charges, mortars, as combustible igniter tubes, and combustible laminates for sabots and projectile bases, etc. We will also develop in Phase II the techniques for processing the energetic composite formulations and for fabricating components. Detailed safety testing of formulations, full characterization of energy release performance under conditions representative of gun launch, mechanical properties measurements, and representative IM testing will be performed. We will fabricate and deliver prototype components that will be tested in Phase II and will be available for continued test and evaluation in a follow-on Phase III program.