Multi-Pulse Adaptive Thrust Control Solid Rocket Motor Technology

This proposal outlines a Phase I program to define and develop a multi-pulse solid rocket motor (SRM) with enhanced performance capability and minimum 15:1 thrust turndown on command that will provide total thrust management capability for future Air Force tactical missile applications. The program will focus on demonstrating multi-pulse capability while maintaining high delivered motor performance. The primary approach will use a new type of pintle nozzle system that shows promise in vastly reducing the low thrust coefficient efficiency that is characteristic of sonic pintle nozzle systems. Other performance improvements will include the addition of multi-pulse ignition capability into the pintle controller software and the design and development of multi-pulse ignition system hardware capable of conventional safe/arm hardware. The adaptive control techniques will interface with the variable area pintle nozzle system to provide closed loop control capability with the built in intelligence necessary to provide "on-demand" thrust control to the missile. PRI will use its "smart-thrust" adaptive control technology to achieve optimal control during the ignition transient phase as well as all other areas of motor operation. Multiple static tests will be conducted during Phase II to validate the delivered performance of the SRM’s in multi-pulse mode using class 1.3, IM, minimum smoke, high performance propellants. Consensus will be sought between the sponsor, prime missile contractor, SRM manufacturer, and PRI to arrive at the test objectives to be demonstrated that will best benefit future Air Force tactical missile systems.