Evaluation of Less Shock Sensitive Minimum Smoke Propellants in High Performance Composite Cases

Abstract : This effort builds upon efforts to develop lower shock sensitivity minimum smoke propellants based on the ATK Cross-linked Double Base (XLDB) heritage. This family of propellants has been successfully subjected to processing development, limited aging, stabilizer depletion, mechanical property characterization, and sensitivity testing. A passive slow cookoff venting approach was implemented and prototype flightweight motors were tested under slow cookoff and bullet/fragment impact conditions.