X-BOW LAUNCH SYSTEMS INC — Department of Defense SBIR Phase II: SB173-006
X-BOW LAUNCH SYSTEMS INC — SBIR Phase II award from Department of Defense.
- Amount
- $2,996,921
- Agency
- Department of Defense · Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
- Program / Phase
- SBIR · Phase II
- Topic
- SB173-006
- Solicitation
- 17.3
- NAICS
- —
- Place of performance
- AL
- Period
- 2019-07-02 → 2021-07-03
Description
To meet DARPA’s specified needs, X-Bow (pronounced “Crossbow”) will infuse advanced manufacturing (AM) methods to produce its small launch vehicle. The vehicle will be capable of rapid and affordable on-demand launch of small payloads. There are ample commercially available opportunities to infuse automated and AM techniques into tanks, nozzles, and other mechanical components. However, there is no readily adaptable or commercial method for additively manufacturing solid propellant. Therefore, X-Bow Launch Systems will lead the development and commercialization of the capability to ‘print’ solid rocket motor propellant. This AM method will address and lower affordability hurdles of a solid-propellant launch system, while at the same time increase its responsiveness. The AM method will handle all principle solid propellant constituents ( Fuel, Oxidizer, Binder, Cure Agent, Plasticizer and other additives. The AM method will be prototyped built and demonstrated through a Full Scale integrated ground test of a 30" diameter small launch rocket motor.