X-BOW LAUNCH SYSTEMS INC — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: SB173-006

Description

X-Bow Launch Systems and its partners have developed a feasible concept to additively manufacture solid propellant. This additive manufacturing method, adapted from existing scaleable processes, will reduce the lifecycle cost and improve the overall responsiveness of the X-Bow Launch Systems vehicle. The innovation is to adapt breakthrough manufacturing processes developed for the Li-Ion battery industry. A variation of high speed electro-spin and electro-spray will be adapted, simulated and tested to ensure they are optimized for the constituent, fuel, binders and oxidizers required for solid propellant. Markets and applications have been identified as part of the technology development, including both sub scale and full scale. This technology will move to TRL 4 level during the Phase I effort; a rapid Phase II plan to move the Technology to the TRL 6/7 range has been identified. Current estimates show a significant cost savings of ~$5M in the total flyaway cost of a small launch vehicle. Additionally, by incorporating this technology, the potential improvement to the performance of the X-Bow launch vehicle is ~30%.