Adaptive Vectoring Nozzle (AVN)

Emerging and evolving threats, specifically maneuvering cruise missiles and advanced hypersonic platforms, require increased flexibility for targeting and engagement by US Navy systems.  In addition, offensive naval platforms utilizing propulsive solid rocket motors (SRMs) will require the ability to modulate / throttle delivered thrust without large losses in [specific] impulse and/or large increases in inert mass required in order to increase capabilities.  To realize an increase in capabilities, innovative solutions are needed to achieve dynamic throttling  that allow for the use of tactical (High solids loading >86%), high-performance Ammonium Perchlorate-based Aluminized propellants.  These solutions need to minimize inert mass to achieve throttling and must be competitive with the current high performance state-of-the-art systems (pintles / throttling DACs) for delivered impulse and inert mass.  In Phase I, Exo-Atmospheric Technologies, LLC will develop a novel throttling SRM nozzle that utilizes a variable-area-ratio throat design.  The Adaptive Vectoring Nozzle (AVN) will deliver a full 3-axis control system with dynamic thrust modulation eliminating the need for additional attitude control systems (ACS) on the missile platform, thus minimizing inert stage mass (a system-level requirement).    Phase I work consists of system engineering for a Phase I testbed, hardware fabrication, and hot-fire testing to be conducted at Exo-Atmospheric Technologies, LLC.  The testbed will provide data on throttle range, response time, delivered thrust, and specific impulse.  Facility data will also be recorded to allow validation of design models including FEA and CFD.   An existing thrust measurement stand will be modified for single axis thrust measurements.  The recorded data will be used to improve the AVN technology for additional hot-fire testing during the optional program and performance data will be used to scale-up the AVN design for systems that can be used for high-performance upper stages on US Navy platforms.