[AR] Dual-Mode Solid-Propellant/Warhead Explosive

  • From: Henry Vanderbilt <hvanderbilt@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: arocket@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • Date: Mon, 6 Aug 2018 16:27:19 -0700

Apropos all the discussion of mixing up novel solid propellants while carefully avoiding crossing the line into sensitive high explosive, apparently now USAF *wants* to straddle that line:

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/rocket-bomb-why-the-air-force-wants-rocket-fuel-thats-also-22639

Gist of it is, to support smaller tactical missiles, they're looking for a solid rocket propellant that can also be reliably detonated once a missile arrives at the target. (And also reliably unlit in flight?) Presumably this propellant formulation also needs to meet the usual mil requirements for stable long-term storage, resistance to handling abuse, and wide temperature range.

Sounds like a fun challenge, actually.

Henry




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