Ballistic Missile System Innovative Propulsion Products

This proposal addresses the requirement to significantly improve the affordability, maintainability and performance of KKV DACS components. Exothermics and their Phase 1 partner ATK Tactical Systems Company, Elkton, MD, will endeavor to increase theperformance, lower the cost and enhance the technical property reproducibility of selected SDACS hot gas valve components by examining the use of a new class of ultrahigh temperature capable cermet (ceramic + metallic) two phase materials. Once optimized,these will offer outstanding possibilities for fabricating SDACS components such as hot gas valves and thruster nozzles superior technical properties at much reduced cost relative to rhenium, the present material of choice for SDACS hardware.In Phase 1 development efforts will focus on producing limited numbers of test articles for simulated SDACS propellant testing at ATK-Elkton DLV Operations and for thermomechanical properties characterization at Southern Research Institute (SoRI),Birgmingham, AL. Spinoff market opportunities for this materials technology are mainly in the DoD and missile defense realm, primarily in support of programs such as: SM-3 LEAP; Strategic Missile Systems Advanced Post Boost Control System (Navy Trident, Air ForceMinuteman); Miniature Kill Vehicle (MKV) propulsion, and the Boost Phase Intercept control system.