N252-082 TITLE: Adaptive Bypass Valve for Solid Fuel Ramjet Missile
OUSD (R&E) CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Sustainment;Trusted AI and Autonomy
OBJECTIVE: Research and design a state-of-the-art airflow bypass valve between the inlet and the combustor in a solid fuel ramjet missile to control the amount of airflow by positioning at any degree of opening from off to on and on to off, thus allowing the control of thrust, resulting in potential range extension.
DESCRIPTION: Ramjets are ideally suited for supersonic flight within the atmosphere. Among the different ramjet configurations, the Solid Fuel Ramjet (SFRJ) is the simplest and safest design with the highest density-specific impulse. However, the uncontrollability of the combustion process in the SFRJ engine is still the main challenge in this technology. Complex issues include engine unstart, fuel regression complexity, and flame extinction.
This SBIR topic is soliciting innovative proposals for researching, designing, and prototyping a state-of-the-art airflow bypass valve between the inlet and the combustor in supersonic SFRJ missiles.
The electromechanical valve precisely controls the airflow in the combustion system by splitting the inlet airflow into the combustor stream and the annular bypass duct stream around the combustor. Bypassing air around the fuel grain is a promising technique to regulate thrust and improve combustion efficiency. The feasibility of this technique is supported by preliminary development of this adaptive valve. The high-speed precision actuator of this valve adjusts the size of the valve opening in response to a signal from a separate control system unit which is not part of this topic. An adaptive valve would control the amount of airflow by positioning at any degree of opening from bypass ratios of zero to the maximum permissible while maintaining ramjet ignition. The modular design of the valve is highly recommended as it promotes its integration on current and future missile systems. If electrical power is required, an independent power supply is preferred. A successful proposal will address these four areas: bypass valve design, actuator design, internal airflow efficiency, and power management. This proposed research project is expected to lead to a state-of-the-art device that will advance supersonic missile technologies and defense capabilities.
Current Specification:
• Mach range: 2-5
• Altitude: 3-70 Kft msl
• Temperature: Up to 2000 F
• Pressure: Up to 400 psi
• Weight: Low for missile
• Power: Independent Battery (if required)
• Materials: Any
PHASE I: Develop innovative approaches to design an adaptive bypass valve, actuator, and power supply for implementation on an SFRJ missile system. Prepare a Phase II plan.
PHASE II: Build and prototype a state-of-the art bypass valve and demonstrate its performance. Mature the transitioning technology during this interim technology maturity phase, depending on the Acquisition Program Office (PMA) requirements.
PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Integrate the Phase II-developed bypass valve prototype on a supersonic SFRJ missile system and flight test the complete system. Transtion the integrated technology to acquisition programs.
Dual uses of the developed technology may include space explorations, martian ramjets, and interstellar ramjets.
REFERENCES:
KEYWORDS: Propulsion; Solid Fuel Ramjet; SFRJ; Supersonic Missile; Adaptive Control; Throttling; Weapon Range Extension
TPOC 1: Alireza Farahmandi
[email protected]TPOC 2: Brian Reitz
[email protected]
** TOPIC NOTICE ** |
The Navy Topic above is an "unofficial" copy from the Navy Topics in the DoD 25.2 SBIR BAA. Please see the official DoD Topic website at www.dodsbirsttr.mil/submissions/solicitation-documents/active-solicitations for any updates. The DoD issued its Navy 25.2 SBIR Topics pre-release on April 2, 2025 which opens to receive proposals on April 23, 2025, and closes May 21, 2025 (12:00pm ET). Direct Contact with Topic Authors: During the pre-release period (April 2, 2025, through April 22, 2025) proposing firms have an opportunity to directly contact the Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) to ask technical questions about the specific BAA topic. The TPOC contact information is listed in each topic description. Once DoD begins accepting proposals on April 23, 2025 no further direct contact between proposers and topic authors is allowed unless the Topic Author is responding to a question submitted during the Pre-release period. DoD On-line Q&A System: After the pre-release period, until May 7, 2025, at 12:00 PM ET, proposers may submit written questions through the DoD On-line Topic Q&A at https://www.dodsbirsttr.mil/submissions/login/ by logging in and following instructions. In the Topic Q&A system, the questioner and respondent remain anonymous but all questions and answers are posted for general viewing. DoD Topics Search Tool: Visit the DoD Topic Search Tool at www.dodsbirsttr.mil/topics-app/ to find topics by keyword across all DoD Components participating in this BAA.
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