Development of ADN-based minimum smoke propellants

There is a need for new minimum smoke propellants, with higher performance and better mechanical properties than the propellants used in current anti tank missiles. The importance of minimum smoke propellants is discussed and the pros and cons of the minimum smoke propellants of today are presented. Further, the nature of smoke and why some propellants generate smoke, are discussed. When developing new minimum smoke propellants, with performance in the same range as current smoky propellants, the choice of energetic material is very limited. This study shows that only the oxidiser ammonium dinitramide, ADN, has the potential that is required. The different steps in the development of a new propellant are briefly described. The research at FOI has lead to the first successful firing of a small test motor with ADN-propellant in the spring of 2006. The results show that the ADN-based propellant burn fast and the expected minimum smoke characteristic were clearly demonstrated. Finally, what remains to be done are presented as well as a possible time schedule.