X-BOW LAUNCH SYSTEMS INC — Department of Defense SBIR Phase II: AF211-DCSO2

Description

X-BOW had developed, built, tested and demonstrated additively manufactured solid rocket motors using direct-extrusion printing of a propellent slurry.  While the benefits of additive manufacturing solid rocket motors far outweigh the traditional “cast & pour” method, the science of buildability, repeatability, and quality are perpetually being studied.  X-BOW is extremely interested in teaming with AFRL’s Materials & Manufacturing Directorate to better understand additive manufacturing synergies, leverage additional support in their material science expertise, and ultimately provide the warfighter with a novel, low-cost, and tailorable solid rocket motor manufacturing process that will enable rapid and responsive launch capabilities—anywhere & anytime. X-BOW further believes it's additive manufacture of Solid Propellants (AMSP) will disrupt the overall rocket propellent market and create competition benefit USG and commercial space. There are only two (2) remaining major US manufacturers of solid rocket motors. The manufacturing processes used by these DoD Primes requires millions of square feet to house manufacturing equipment and store both equipment and product. This infrastructure comes with significant company overhead, which is reflected in the high cost of solids and SRMs.