Abstract: A missile includes a rocket motor that has a flow deflector in an expansion region of the rocket motor's nozzle. The flow deflector diverts flow of combustion products away from a safe region that is aft of the missile. The safe region protects an operator of a launcher used to fire the missile, such as a shoulder-fired launcher, from harm caused by the combustion products. The flow deflector may be small enough such that it does not significantly adversely affect the performance of the rocket motor. The presence of the flow diverter may allow for the rocket motor to be started sooner in the flight of the missile, or at a distance closer to the operator, while still keeping the operator safe. The flow deflector and supporting structure, such as struts, may be additively manufactured with at least an aft part of the nozzle, as a continuous single-piece part.

Abstract: A missile includes a rocket motor that has a flow deflector in an expansion region of the rocket motor's nozzle. The flow deflector diverts flow of combustion products away from a safe region that is aft of the missile. The safe region protects an operator of a launcher used to fire the missile, such as a shoulder-fired launcher, from harm caused by the combustion products. The flow deflector may be small enough such that it does not significantly adversely affect the performance of the rocket motor. The presence of the flow diverter may allow for the rocket motor to be started sooner in the flight of the missile, or at a distance closer to the operator, while still keeping the operator safe. The flow deflector and supporting structure, such as struts, may be additively manufactured with at least an aft part of the nozzle, as a continuous single-piece part.

Abstract: A motor assembly is provided for use with projectiles, such as munitions, having relatively low length to diameter ratios. The motor assembly has an aerospike nozzle and a casing disposed about the aerospike nozzle, where interior aerospike volume contains propellant and where walls of both the cowl of the casing and of the aerospike nozzle jointly define a combustion chamber.

Abstract: A gas generation system for generating gases, such as for use as or as part of a rocket motor in propelling a projectile, includes two or more propellant charges and electrically operated propellant initiators operatively coupled to respective of the propellant charges, to initiate combustion in the propellant charges, wherein the propellant charges are operatively isolated from one another such that the propellant charges can be individually initiated and are not ignited due to gases generated from other of the propellant charges being combusted.

Abstract: A motor assembly is provided for use with projectiles, such as munitions, having relatively low length to diameter ratios. The motor assembly has an aerospike nozzle and a casing disposed about the aerospike nozzle, where interior aerospike volume contains propellant and where walls of both the cowl of the casing and of the aerospike nozzle jointly define a combustion chamber.

Abstract: A gas generation system for generating gases, such as for use as or as part of a rocket motor in propelling a projectile, includes two or more propellant charges and electrically operated propellant initiators operatively coupled to respective of the propellant charges, to initiate combustion in the propellant charges, wherein the propellant charges are operatively isolated from one another such that the propellant charges can be individually initiated and are not ignited due to gases generated from other of the propellant charges being combusted.