PHYSICAL SCIENCES INC. — Department of Defense STTR Phase I: MDA20-T001

PHYSICAL SCIENCES INC. — STTR Phase I award from Department of Defense.

Amount
$129,945
Agency
Department of Defense · Missile Defense Agency
Program / Phase
STTR · Phase I
Topic
MDA20-T001
Solicitation
20.C
NAICS
Place of performance
MA
Period
2021-04-30 → 2021-10-29

Description

Physical Sciences Inc. and Purdue University propose to develop a high performance solid rocket propellant (SSRP) with significantly reduced infrared (IR) plume signature. The SSRP provides an increase in Specific Impulse (Isp), and equivalent Density Specific Impulse (ρIsp), relative to state-of-the-art aluminized hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) ammonium perchlorate (AP) composite propellants. The innovative chemistries, combined with specific changes in the propellant formulations, will enable ingredient compatibility and minimum temperature and shock sensitivity. Phase I will focus on the development of SSRP formulation procedures, establishing propellant burn rates, and quantifying IR combustion signature via IR absorption spectroscopy and 2D high-speed imaging. Phase II will focus on formulation scale-up, quantification of SSRP performance, validation of Insensitive Munition (IM) compliancy, and exhaust plume signature modeling. Approved for Public Release |21-MDA-10789 (21 Apr 21)