Small Launch Vehicles (SLV) Technologies

Difficulties in using foreign air bases and airspace is constraining the Air Force from striking high-value, time critical targets. The Small Launch Vehicle (SLV) and Common Aero Vehicle (CAV) that deploys weapons over the target within minutes after being launched from the United States can solve this. The SLV can also be used to launch satellites. Wickman Spacecraft & Propulsion Company is proposing a versatile and low cost SLV that will be air launched from Air Force cargo planes. It uses an innovative solid rocket motor with individually controlled nozzle throats providing real time controllable thrust and steering with a fixed nozzle. With an expansion-deflection exit cone, it has an optimum expansion ratio at all altitudes. The propellant is an environmentally friendly, low cost, phase stabilized ammonium nitrate propellant with a delivered specific impulse equal to ammonium perchlorate propellants. The solid rocket motors are "field" reloadable. Phase I determines the feasibility of this approach while Phase II demonstrates all the enabling technologies.