SBIR-STTR Award

The United States has fielded a layered missile defense system to counter and defeat current hostile missile threats. However, evolving adversarial capabilities requires new propulsion technologies that are highly responsive, agile and compatible to current MDA interceptor platforms. To meet this evolving need, Valley Tech Systems (VTS) is proposing the development of a high performance Affordable Solid Axial Stage (ASAS) for flexible high-G Delta-v impulse control and fast Thrust Vector response times. Our development approach applies the VTS extensive controllable solid propulsion Hot Gas Valve technology to a new high-performance booster hot-gas injection (HGI) Thrust Vector Control (TVC) design minimizing state of the art axial stage propulsion Size, Weight and Power (SWaP).During the phase I program VTS will conduct advanced ASAS concept design activities and conduct a subscale hot gas demonstration of a prototype HGI nozzle assembly. During the Phase II program a full scale ASAS prototype booster assembly will be developed and tested maturing the technology to TRL 4/5.Approved for Public Release | 18-MDA-9710 (6 Jul 18)

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is developing new interceptor technologies to mitigate the constantly evolving threats such as having to overcome large numbers - a barrage of low-cost ballistic missiles that could be launched by potential adversaries, and new asymmetric missile threats requiring higher interceptor performance and maneuvering capabilities in both high-G endo and exo-atmospheric environments. To address this need, Valley Tech Systems (VTS) has developed a conceptual design of a small diameter booster Advanced Solid Axial Stage (ASAS) capable of high-G delta-V impulse control and highly accurate, fast Thrust Vector Control (TVC) using innovative proportionally controlled secondary hot gas injection into a conventional optimized solid booster nozzle design. Fundamental to the new design is the ability to deliver additional cross-range delta-V using fast responding TVC to create high angle-of-attack maneuvers while also providing Kill Vehicle pointing. During this Phase II SBIR, VTS will leverage its 12-years of MDA SBIR controllable solid propulsion technology data base to the design and testing of a high fidelity ASAS prototype with the goal of maturing the technology to TRL-5 at program completion positioning the technology for future interceptor upgrades and new systems. Approved for Public Release | 20-MDA-10601 (19 Oct 20)