Rocket and Missile Propellants

SERDP and ESTCP projects are developing and demonstrating new propellant formulations that do not contain perchlorates, lead compounds, RDX, or other environmentally objectionable materials.

Active Projects List
Project Title Start Date

Applying Synthetic Biology Principles to Increase Biocellulose (BC) Production

Project Information
Project ID: WP-2333
Principal Investigator: Dr. Mark Fuller, CB&I
SERDP Jan 2013

Eliminating Lead, RDX, and AP in a Castable EMMS-Configured Propellant While Maintaining Performance

Project Information
Project ID: WP-2143
Principal Investigator: Mr. Bradley Sleadd, Indian Head Division, NSWC
SERDP Mar 2011

Evaluation of Metal-Bound Porphyrins and Porphyrazins as Lead Salt Replacements for Ballistic Modifiers in Minimum Signature XLDB Propellants

Project Information
Project ID: WP-2140
Principal Investigator: Dr. Scott Riley, ATK Missile Subsystems and Components
SERDP Mar 2011

Nitration Enzyme Toolkit for the Biosynthesis of Energetic Materials

Project Information
Project ID: WP-2332
Principal Investigator: Dr. David Graham, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
SERDP Jan 2013

Novel Energetic Polyphosphazene Polymer Binder System for Environmentally Benign Rocket Propellants

Project Information
Project ID: WP-2141
Principal Investigator: Mr. Joseph Clubb, Naval Air Warfare Center - Weapons Division
SERDP Mar 2011

Novel Lead-Free Ballistic Modifiers for Improved, IM-Compliant Minimum Signature Propellants

Project Information
Project ID: WP-2142
Principal Investigator: Dr. Andrew Nelson, Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division
SERDP Mar 2011

Lead-Free Ballistic Modifier for Rocket Motor Propellants

Project Information
Project ID: WP-200727
Principal Investigator: Mr. Darren Thompson, U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research Development and Engineering Center (AMRDEC)
ESTCP Apr 2007