SBIR-STTR Award

A new approach to high performance ICBM design has been identified. The end product is a highly stable, low drag, two-stage booster which is lighter, faster burning, more reliable, and less expensive than an equivalent, conventional, three-stage missile. Major performance improvements are obtained by replacing the traditional, cylindrical upper motor stages and post-boost vehicle (PBV) with a single, conical motor stage and conical PBV. The reduced weight, improved stability, and relatively fast burn time are by-products of the conical upper stage design approach. Reliability and cost benefits result from replacing the two upper stage motors with a single motor. The Phase I technical objectives are to develop conceptual design approaches for improving upon the basic, two-stage cylinder-cone booster. Alternative concepts will be defined and characterized, technology issues identified, and R&D program requirements specified. Alternative aerodynamic shapes and propulsion systems (including "hybrid" integrated stage concepts), new materials, and improved structures will be treated. Phase I results are expected to provide the air force with new and improved methods for designing high performance ballistic missiles and with the booster performance information needed to identify future ballistic missile technology program needs.

With the apparent end of the cold war, new questions regarding ICBM requirements, missions and designs have arisen. The present ICBM threat consists of a decaying former Soviet force with an uncertain future. Concerns for the future include the possibility of a revitalized Russian nuclear force as well as a potential threat from emerging members of the nuclear weapons community. In light of these developments, U.S. ICBM research and development activities should be re-focused on evaluating the existing ICBM force for future missions, on establishing the cost effectiveness of upgrading existing missile systems, and on assessing new concepts to deal with future missions. The ICBM design methodology required to explore these new issues was developed and refined in the Phase I program. The methodology will be used in this second phase to evaluate alternative ICBM concepts for delivering both nuclear and non-nuclear payloads. Design considerations will include post cold war missions, new missile concepts, modifications of existing missiles, mission flexibility, cost effectiveness, reliability, maintainability and survivability. The Minuteman III ICBM will serve as the point-of-departure for the investigation. The end product will be a spectrum of ICBM preliminary designs of varying cost and mission capability that will display to system planners, engineers and designers the options that are available.

Keywords:
ICBM BALLISTIC MISSILE STRATEGIC WEAPONS MINUTEMAN ICBM MISSIONS MISSILE TECHNOLOGY MISSILE DESIGN M