SBIR/STTR WORKSHOP CSULB COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AFRL ROCKET LAB: SBIR PROCESS & INSIGHT DR. SHAWN PHILLIPS, CHIEF, ROCKET PROPULSION DIVISION DR. RICHARD COHN, CHIEF ENGINEER, ROCKET PROPULSION DIVISION AEROSPACE SYSTEMS DIRECTORATE 21 Feb 2019 Distribution A: Public Release Air Force Research Lab, Aerospace Systems Directorate, Rocket Propulsion Division RQ-East (Wright Patterson AFB OH) RQ-West (Edwards AFB CA) Air Vehicle Structures Controls Turbine Engines Rocket Engines & Motors Ramjet Engines Satellite Propulsion Hypersonic Engines Advanced Propulsion Aircraft Power Fuels and Propellants Thermal Management Modeling & Simulation Fuels and Propellants System Analysis System Analysis We are the symbol of revolutionary rocket R&D and the innovation hotspot for the United States’ weapons, launch and satellite propulsion systems • Distribution A: Public Release 4 Replacement of Russian RD-180 engine Prognostic Capability for Strategic Systems AFRL Rocket Lab Distribution Statement C: Distribution authorized to U.S. Government agencies and their contractors only; Critical Technology; Aug 2016. Other requests for this documents must be referred to AFRL/RZS, 5 Pollux Drive, Edwards AFB, CA 93524. WARNING - Export Controlled Green Propellant Infusion Mission for Adv Tactical Booster Tech for High In-Space PropulsionDistribution Statement C. Distribution authorized to U.S. Government agencies and their contractorsSpeed only Strike Weapon 5 AFRL Rocket Lab National Asset •65 Square Mile Development Facility – Air quality limits do not inhibit research activities – Noise abatement not a problem – Wind/population corridor does not inhibit research – Environmental monitor/control systems in place – Flight Test Center relation/support ongoing •135 Major Lab/Engineering Facilities & Buildings •30 Major Active Areas and Stands – High Thrust Facilities •19 Liquid Engine stands (up to 2.5M lbs thrust) •13 Solid Rocket Motor pads (up to 4.0M lbs thrust) – Altitude Facilities (micro-newtons to 50K lbs thrust) • Unique geophysical set-up ($2.5B+ investment) • 515 On-Site Personnel Distribution A: Approved for Public Release; Distribution Unlimited 6 AFRL Rocket Lab: Timeline RS Maverick SM-3 Super SRAM-A/SRAM II Orion 38HP Trident I MM III Strypi PRP Peacekeeper MM I MM II MM III SICBM RS Sidewinder Pershing II Space Shuttle SLS AMRAAM SRM M&S Operational Systems and Solid Rocket Motors Trident II Programs Boost 1957 Today Liquid Rocket Engine STS X-33 F-1 Centaur Upper Stage IHPRPT Missile Propulsion Titan IV Atlas I Delta IV Atlas V Delta II AR-1 AFRL IPD XLR-132 Navajo RL10-B2 HC Boost Linear Aerospike AFRL XLR-129 7 Saturn V SSME • Distribution A: Public Release History of “the Rock” • Minuteman I, II, & III ICBMs 1960-Present • Peacekeeper ICBM 1970s-1980s • Titan I & II ICBM – Test Stand 1-3 in Early 1960s MM I MM II MM III • Titan IV solid rocket booster – 1980s – 1990s in Area 1-32 and Test Stand 1- C • Shuttle & Atlas V strap-on boosters Saturn V (F-1) Atlas I-V Delta II-IV Titan 1-IV Peacekeeper STS-Shuttle 8 Not STINFO Approved: Distribution A: Unlimited • Distribution A: Public Release Facilities Bench-level Labs High Thrust Facilities • 19 Liquid Engine stands, up to 8,000,000 lbs thrust • 13 Solid Rocket Motor pads, up to 10,000,000 lbs thrust Altitude Facilities • From micro-newtons to 50,000 lbs thrust 9 Not STINFO Approved: Distribution A • Distribution A: Public Release The AFRL Rocket Lab Mission: Perform cutting-edge rocket propulsion R&D, while addressing our customer’s requirements and future needs Vision: To be the symbol of revolutionary rocket R&D and the innovation hotspot for the United States’ weapons, launch and satellite propulsion systems - ENABLE RAPIDLY FIELDED SYSTEMS TO ADJUST TO & COUNTER ADVERSARIES - PREDICTIVE CAPABILITY R&D FOR THE FUTURE OF ROCKET PROPULSION - MULTI-POINT DESIGN FOR ADAPTIVE, AFFORDABLE, LOW-COST NEEDS Produce On-Demand (POD) Solid Rocket Motors Affordable Responsive Modular Rocket (ARMR) Develop, Leverage and Innovate Advanced Methodologies for Mat’ls, Propellants, Processing Build Any Rocket, Any Size in <2 Years - Integrated Modular Rocket Engine - Flexible design and manufacturing methods for changing threats enables: low cost development & test - Mission-specific weapons available at the right time and place through AM, scalability from 20K- 1,000Kblf thrust Physics-based Design Tools - Reduce development cost & time for new strategic and Rapid Reconstitution tactical propulsion systems Strategic - Parts for integrated units of any size (& Tactical) Space readily available - Input requirements and output new motor design to avoid Access test-fail-fix cycle Systems - Leverages commercial space push for small sat launches Multi-Mode Satellite Propulsion Modular Engine Component Test Same Fuel for Electric and Chemical Propulsion Skid-Mounted, Quickly Configurable Engine - Leverages AFRL/RQR Green Ionic Liquid Fuel In-Space Experimental Component Testing - Combines Electrosprays with Green Chem Thrusters Propulsion Demonstration - Multiple propellants, flows, pressures - Concentrate on most valuable data products Space Resiliency and Responsiveness - Space and high altitude testing of small - Common propellant increases operational flexibility to components to 50K thrust engines and motors more effectively adapt to handle unplanned maneuvers - Small characterization to large atmospheric test • Distribution A: Public Release SBIR Program and the AFL Rocket Lab Distribution A: Public Release SBIR Program goals • Develop and transition technology to the warfighter • Cost effectively solve current problems • Infuse innovative ideas/solutions into existing and new programs to develop new capabilities • Better utilize Small Businesses to develop creative solutions • The overall SBIR program has emphasized increasing the number and quality of transitions in recent years • Recent trends • Emphasis on transitions • Commercialization Readiness Program (CRP) • Seeing less opportunity for “Blue Sky” topics which explore a technology area • Distribution A: Public Release SBIR Phases • Funding: 3.2% of R&D Budget • Three phase effort (typical AF values and lengths) • Phase 1: 6 month/$150K – Technical merit, feasibility, commercial potential (plus 3 month reporting) • Phase 2: 2 years/$750K – Reduce risk of phase 1 effort to enable transition (plus 3 month reporting) • Phase 3: Develop the technical product – no typical dollar amounts or time frames. • Uses Program dollars – not funded through SBIR program Distribution A: Public Release AF Commercialization Readiness Program • Strategically driven process to enhance and accelerate transition process • Recognition that valuable technologies may require more than the $150K phase 1/$750K phase 2 • Links AFRL and Air Force Centers/Commands • Award additional Phase II efforts, enhance/augment existing programs to accelerate and enable transition • Total value of SBIR funding allowed on phase 2 normally $1.5M • Solves an unanticipated problem which occurred during phase 2 • Waivers process recently approved – used successfully • Compelling argument for transition • Requirements • Identified and interested customer (Air Force program office, major contractor, etc.) • Customer driven defined need • SBIR/STTR technology that meets the need and shows high potential for providing viable results Distribution A: Public Release AFRL Rocket Lab SBIR program • Our goal is to develop and transition SBIR technologies supporting Launch and In-Space Propulsion activities • Typically manage 12-15 topics per year • ~30 phase 1 awards (including SBIRs and STTRs) • ~20 phase 2 awards (including SBIRs and STTRs) • ~2-3 enhancements/extensions • ~2-3 phase 3 efforts • ~$25M per year • Topic sponsors Air Force Space Command (Space and Missile Systems Center), Air Force Global Strike Command (Nuclear Weapons Center) Distribution A: Public Release Topics Distribution A: Public Release Topic Creation • Topic idea can be developed by any AF employee • Works with organizational leadership to hone idea, understand transition potential and customers • Topic can be generated by nearly any AF employee – Must meet following requirements • Develops technology to solve an Air Force problem, need, or capability deficiency • Does not mandate a solution or a specific technology approach • Clearly defined technology area (sensor, material) and problem to be solved or desired capability • Solution requires basic research, applied research, or technology development • Required parameters clearly stated and current state of the art described • Identifies military and/or civilian uses for technology to be developed • Required use of government materials/equipment/data/facilities defined • Phase 1 & Phase 2 task requirements reasonable given time and funding constraints • Does not duplicate another topic • Topic submitted to Topic Submission Module • Topics in the Submission Module are reviewed by Centers/Major Commands for applicability and selection • Need and transition potential are key criteria Distribution A: Public Release Topic Selection • Each AF command/center is allocated topics based on Research/Engineering/Development budget • Each command/center has their own topic selection process • Generally, command/centers look for • Applicability to current programs • Program need/criticality • Potential for transition of technology into fielded systems • Selected topics released three times per year • Pre-release: November, April, August • Open for submission: January,