HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – CFD Research, in collaboration with Purdue University, has been awarded a $2 million contract by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) to develop next-generation solid propellant technology for missile defense interceptors.
The award recognizes CFD Research’s leadership in advanced propulsion research and computational modeling, while Purdue University contributes deep expertise in propellant chemistry and energetic materials science. Together, the teams are combining laboratory experimentation, machine learning, and analytical modeling to develop propellants that push the boundaries of what is currently possible in missile defense.
Under this contract, CFD Research and Purdue are developing a new class of solid propellant that simultaneously improves thrust responsiveness and energy output — two qualities that have historically been difficult to advance together. Building on earlier research that proved this combination is achievable without compromising military safety classifications, this effort will scale that work into a full production and testing environment, validated across a range of thrust levels and chamber pressures.
The program will also produce ProForm, a machine learning-based software tool designed to predict propellant burn behavior from experimental data. ProForm is intended to help development teams identify high-performing formulations faster, reducing the cost and time associated with large-scale physical testing while giving future programs a smarter foundation for propellant design.
“This effort is about pushing the boundaries of what solid propulsion systems can achieve,” said Debasis Sengupta, Principal Investigator at CFD Research. “By combining advanced chemistry with machine learning, we’re creating propellants and predictive tools that enable faster, more agile response capabilities that strengthen the performance and reliability of next-generation defense systems.”
At the conclusion of this program, the team expects to deliver one or more flight-ready propellant formulations and the ProForm software, both at a maturity level suitable for transition into engineering and manufacturing development. This award highlights CFD Research’s long-standing expertise at the intersection of propulsion, energetic materials, and computational science, and reinforces North Alabama’s growing role as a hub for nationally significant defense technology development.
**This material is based upon work supported by the Missile Defense Agency under Contract No. HQ086026CE044. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Missile Defense Agency.
About CFD Research
Since its inception in 1987, CFD Research has delivered innovative technology solutions within the Aerospace & Defense, Biomedical & Life Sciences, Intelligence & Sensing, and Energy & Materials industries. CFD Research has earned multiple national awards for successful application and commercialization of innovative component/system technology prototypes, multi-physics simulation software, multi-disciplinary analyses, and expert support services. Based in Huntsville, Alabama where laboratory facilities and headquarters are located, CFD Research also has office and laboratory facilities in Dayton, Ohio, prototyping test and evaluation facilities in Hollywood, Alabama, and office facilities in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. CFD Research is an ISO9001: AS9100D registered company and is appraised at CMMI Level II for Services. CFD Research is a 100% ESOP (employee-owned company) recognized in Inc. Magazine’s Inc. 5000 as a top growing company for five of the last six years. Learn more at www.cfd-research.com.
